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Lookup NU author(s): Stephen Hughes
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Objectives: Increasing self-management skills in people with long-term conditions is widely advocated in policies and guidelines. Group programmes are a common format; yet, how self-management support objectives are enacted in their delivery is poorly understood. Our aim is to explore the perspectives of group programme facilitators. Methods: We undertook thematic analysis of transcribed data from in-depth semi-structured interviews with health professional facilitators (n = 13) from six diverse self-management support group programmes (of obesity, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Results: Facilitators viewed group programmes as responses to health system pressures, e.g. high patient demand. They focussed on providing in-depth education and instruction on physical health, risks and lifestyle behaviour change and emphasised self-responsibility for behaviour change whilst minimising goal setting and support amongst group participants. There were tensions between facilitators’ professional identity and group leader role. Discussion: Group self-management support programmes may not be realising the broader aspirations advocated in long-term condition policy to support medical, emotional and social aspects of long-term conditions by minimising shared learning, problem solving, building of self-efficacy and goal setting. This suggests a disconnect at implementation. Increasing understandings of theoretical and practical self-management support in group programmes across both implementation and health professional (HCP) training will further the professional skills in this format.
Author(s): Hughes S, Lewis S, Willis K, Rogers A, Wyke S, Smith L
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Chronic Illness
Year: 2020
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
Pages: 104-118
Print publication date: 01/06/2020
Online publication date: 01/08/2018
Acceptance date: 29/06/2018
ISSN (print): 1742-3953
ISSN (electronic): 1745-9206
Publisher: Sage
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395318792068
DOI: 10.1177/1742395318792068
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