T Jaarsma1, A Strömberg2, S B Dunbar3, D Fitzsimons4, C Lee5, S Middleton6, E Vellone7, K E Freedland8, B Riegel9. 1. Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linkoping University, 58381 Linköping, Sweden; Mary McKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; Julius Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: tiny.jaarsma@liu.se. 2. Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linkoping University, 58381 Linköping, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Linkoping University, Sweden. 3. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, USA. 4. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, UK. 5. William F. Connell, School of Nursing, Boston College, USA. 6. Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent's Health Australia & Australian Catholic University, Australia. 7. University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy. 8. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, USA. 9. Mary McKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The number of studies in the area of self-care is growing and international researchers are increasingly developing self-care interventions to improve outcomes of individual patients and communities. However, growth of the evidence is still slow due to challenges with designing and testing self-care interventions. In this article we address major methodological challenges with regard to the definition of self-care, use of theory, and research design, intended to provide guidance to researchers in this field. METHOD: During the inaugural conference of the International Center for Self-Care Research held in Rome, Italy in June 2019 we identified important issues in existing self-care research. Discussion and literature review lead to eight recommendation for future self-care research. RESULTS: In preparation, begin with a theoretically sound definition of self-care. In planning the intervention, build on and extend previous studies. Use theory to develop self-care interventions and consider translational models to guide development, evaluation and implementation of complex self-care interventions. Employ a study design that fits the current phase and objectives of the research and measure self-care and related factors carefully. In reporting, describe the sample and setting sufficiently so that others can draw conclusions about generalizability and applicability to their practice and patient population. In interpretation, describe how the intervention is assumed to work (causal assumptions) and its key components. CONCLUSION: Our review of existing self-care research clearly illustrates that the recommendations we provide are needed if we are to substantially grow the evidence base supporting self-care. Embracing a core set of principles will allow us to build on each other's work. Tweetable abstract: A core set of methodological principles is needed to substantially grow the evidence base supporting self-care.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The number of studies in the area of self-care is growing and international researchers are increasingly developing self-care interventions to improve outcomes of individual patients and communities. However, growth of the evidence is still slow due to challenges with designing and testing self-care interventions. In this article we address major methodological challenges with regard to the definition of self-care, use of theory, and research design, intended to provide guidance to researchers in this field. METHOD: During the inaugural conference of the International Center for Self-Care Research held in Rome, Italy in June 2019 we identified important issues in existing self-care research. Discussion and literature review lead to eight recommendation for future self-care research. RESULTS: In preparation, begin with a theoretically sound definition of self-care. In planning the intervention, build on and extend previous studies. Use theory to develop self-care interventions and consider translational models to guide development, evaluation and implementation of complex self-care interventions. Employ a study design that fits the current phase and objectives of the research and measure self-care and related factors carefully. In reporting, describe the sample and setting sufficiently so that others can draw conclusions about generalizability and applicability to their practice and patient population. In interpretation, describe how the intervention is assumed to work (causal assumptions) and its key components. CONCLUSION: Our review of existing self-care research clearly illustrates that the recommendations we provide are needed if we are to substantially grow the evidence base supporting self-care. Embracing a core set of principles will allow us to build on each other's work. Tweetable abstract: A core set of methodological principles is needed to substantially grow the evidence base supporting self-care.
Authors: Onome Henry Osokpo; Lisa M Lewis; Uchechukwu Ikeaba; Jesse Chittams; Frances K Barg; Barbara Riegel Journal: Clin Nurs Res Date: 2021-11-02 Impact factor: 2.075
Authors: Tiny Jaarsma; Heleen Westland; Ercole Vellone; Kenneth E Freedland; Carin Schröder; Jaap C A Trappenburg; Anna Strömberg; Barbara Riegel Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lilas Ali; Sara Wallström; Andreas Fors; Emmelie Barenfeld; Eva Fredholm; Michael Fu; Mahboubeh Goudarzi; Hanna Gyllensten; Irma Lindström Kjellberg; Karl Swedberg; Lowie E G W Vanfleteren; Inger Ekman Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-12-13 Impact factor: 5.428