Effects of a self-management programme on patient participation in patients with chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Self-management strategies are crucial to patients with long-term conditions and can presumably promote patient participation, given that to patients, patient participation connotes opportunities for self-care (along with being engaged in an exchange of knowledge, a phrasing of joint goals and planning of care). So far, limited attention has been given to what components support self-management and what outcomes can be achieved. An exclusive self-management programme in primary healthcare entailed assessing its influence on patient participation. AIM: To describe the effects of a self-management programme on preferences for, and experiences of, patient participation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or chronic heart failure. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with a six session intervention programme, including phrasing of individual action plans and group discussions on the patients' issues. The intervention group ( n=59) received standard care and the self-management programme, and the control group ( n=59) received standard care only. Data was collected at baseline and at three months and 12 months after the intervention started, using the Patient Preferences for Patient Participation (the 4Ps) measure. RESULTS: No significant differences were found within the groups, or between the groups, in preferences and experiences of patient participation, either in summary score or at an item level. CONCLUSION: A self-management group programme led by trained primary healthcare staff in primary care did not serve as means to influence patients' experience of patient participation in the care of their long-term condition. Further studies are needed in regard to what facilitates patient participation in this setting and beyond.