Self-management support in chronic illness care: a concept analysis.

PURPOSE: This article reports on the concept analysis of self-management support (SMS) to provide clarity for systematic implementation in practice.
BACKGROUND: SMS is a concept in its early phase of development. It is increasingly evident in literature on chronic illness care. However, the definition has been simplified or vague leading to variable SMS programs and inconsistent outcomes. Elucidation of SMS is necessary in chronic illness care to facilitate clear understanding and implementation.
METHOD: Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis method was used to examine SMS. Data sources included systematic multidisciplinary searches of multiple search engines.
RESULTS: SMS refers to comprehensive sustaining approaches toward improving chronic illness outcomes consisting of patient-centered attributes (involving patients as partners; providing diverse, innovative educational modalities specific to patients' needs; individualizing patient care), provider attributes (possessing adequate knowledge, skills, attitudes in providing care), and organizational attributes (putting an organized system of care in place, having multidisciplinary team approach, using tangible and social support). IMPLICATIONS: A well-clarified SMS concept is important in theory development. The attributes offer necessary components in SMS programs for systematic implementation, evaluation, and research. There is great potential that SMS can help improve outcomes of chronic illness care.