Support for self-management

Support for self-management

Statement 7.2


Why is it important?

When people with IBD are empowered to take more control of their condition, they live fuller, freer lives.

This idea of ‘self-management’ stands for all the actions taken by people to recognise, treat and manage their own health – independently or in partnership with the healthcare system. It goes beyond symptom and treatment management, and includes a person’s emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Supporting self-management is an essential part of providing truly holistic, person-centred care. It’s also closely aligned to the major UK policy drive of supporting people living with long-term conditions to manage their conditions at home or in the community, where appropriate, for example through social prescribing.

'Patient activation’ describes the knowledge, skills and confidence a person has in managing their own health and care. Evidence shows that when people are supported to become more activated, they benefit from better health outcomes, improved experiences of care and fewer unplanned care admissions.

Resources and further information

Self-management means confidence and feeling able to ask the right questions – it means asking for help when you need it, and understanding the language used by professionals. Every patient needs to be shown what information and tools are out there.

Roisin, patient