2021 EULAR recommendations
for the implementation of self-management strategies in patients with inflammatory arthritis
(Part 4)
We now move to discuss the results of the meetings of task force members under the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) which tackled the formation of guidelines for self-management of inflammatory arthritis (IA).
The task force tackled first the existing definitions for self-management and reached a consensus on the three overarching principles (OAPs) and the nine recommendations, guided by the results of the systematic literature review (SLR), surveys done among patients, and healthcare professionals (HCP).
Patients who belong to organizations were approached, where 9 organizations replied. HCPs coming from 13 countries in Europe were interviewed.
It was found out that the idea of self-management, which has been published in common literature and the context in which it is used, is not categorically defined, until the time the task force convened.
The task force is in agreement with most of the definition of self-management. Self-management is generally known as the ability of a person to manage symptoms, treatment and lifestyle.
In essence there are two things given focus by the task force:
1. self-management is aimed at arriving at independence and
2. self-management should be ideally supported by others, such as HCP, family and support groups.
These things are largely overlooked and may not be included in most definitions.
The task force pointed out key aspects considered to apply across all recommendations, and has come up with these OAPs:
1. Self-management means having an active role in learning about one’s condition and in the shared decision-making process about one’s health and care process. It is important that patients take an active role in understanding their condition and acquire the needed skills and coping mechanisms especially in engaging in shared decision-making activities.
The best self-management strategies involve the ability to monitor one’s condition and to take action in order to achieve a better quality of life. This way, there’s self-regulation. HCPs should be able to provide optimal support to patients who are engaged in self-management of their IA.
2. Self-efficacy, which means personal confidence to perform activities, resulting to a desired result for the benefit of the patient.
Self-management should be also help in reducing costs and eventually financial burden to the patient.
3. Patient organisations should be able to provide helpful self-management resources with the help of HCP for the benefit of patients.
Next week, we will continue our presentation of the results of the discussions of the task force in relation to self-management strategies for the management of IA.