Enhancing patient engagement in chronic disease self-management support initiatives in Australia : the need for an integrated approach

♦ Although emphasis on the prevention of chronic disease is important, governments in Australia need to balance this with continued assistance to the 77% of Australians reported to have at least one long-term medical condition.<br /><br />♦ Self-management support is provided by health care and community services to enhance patients’ ability to care for their chronic conditions in a cooperative framework.<br /><br />♦ In Australia, there is a range of self-management support initiatives that have targeted patients (most notably, chronic disease self-management education programs) and health professionals (financial incentives, education and training).<br /><br />♦ To date, there has been little coordination or integration of these self-management initiatives to enhance the patient–health professional clinical encounter.<br /><br />♦ If self-management support is to work, there is a need to better understand the infrastructure, systems and training that are required to engage the key stakeholders — patients, carers, health professionals, and health care organisations.<br /><br />♦ A coordinated approach is required in implementing these elements within existing and new health service models to enhance uptake and sustainability.<br /><br />