For most of us, sticking to self-management practices is a key to life with chronic illness. But what does this mean and what are the benefits of introducing new self-management techniques?

For some, self-management means simple activities like daily showers or drinking water. For others, this could mean lifestyle modification, self/symptom monitoring and seeking more information and support. Once diagnosed, we can start to introduce activities that range from simple exercises and a healthy diet to more serious activities such as medical treatments and rehabilitation exercises. Self-management activities help us to achieve a sense of normal in everyday life so that we can maintain social relationships, as well as participate in other meaningful activities. Being able to rely on these routinely can help improve your sense of well-being and positivity.

Self-management is a topic we have all faced at some point and at times it feels easy to become overwhelmed with the many different options out there. However, there are ways to manage, maximise and use self-management as a tool for building resilience. Trying certain approaches can help you to accomplish this.

The following is a list of self-management techniques that have worked for us.  Keep in mind that they are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner.

We strongly advise anyone with health problems to consult a doctor, as they will be trained to interpret your symptoms and provide you with a proper diagnosis based on all aspects of your condition and medical history.

5 Patient Education Approaches to Consider

Living with chronic illness is a time of uncertainty. We’re unsure of outcomes and how our illness will affect not only our longevity but also our day today. We don’t know what is going to happen and how to best manage it. It’s at this point that it’s essential to get advice, but we aren’t sure where.  These unanswered questions cause anxiety, depression feelings of disempowerment and a lack of faith in our ability to cope with our illness.

Among many other self-management changes, patient education can alleviate these feelings of uncertainty. Finding out additional information helps us know more about our diagnosis, and consequently what to expect. Once we are armed with enough information, we know more about what is required to best self-manage.

Patient education includes taking the following steps.

1 Create a List of Questions

Take some time to brainstorm these and write these down. This list may keep expanding as new things come up for you with your condition. They should help you answer anything you need to know about managing the day to day and the long-term future. These may include medications, prognosis, symptoms, diet, exercise etc.

2 Ask a Medical Expert

This may seem obvious, but many people are reluctant to do from fear of inconveniencing their provider. However, the provider should be the most expert stakeholder in your illness making them the best person to speak to. This can be by appointment or over the phone.  If you do not feel strong enough to do this, find someone who will advocate for you. Ideally, you should find someone to approach who is knowledgeable, accessible and compassionate.

3 Reading   

This can include books, pamphlets or online articles.  Each of these can be an excellent reference point if you need an immediate answer and your provider is not available. It will also empower you further to consider additional questions which you haven’t thought of already. Be sure to use a critical eye when seeking out information online, as nothing replaces the advice of a medical professional.

4 Watching Videos

Interested in exercise modifications? Are there shortcuts to simplify your morning routine? Is there someone who has already journaled their journey with chronic illness? Searching for life-hack videos is an excellent resource in self-management.

5 Support Groups

There are many support groups on websites like Facebook which are moderated by people who have gone through similar experiences. Along with the thousands of fellow members who have shared your symptoms, they can answer your questions very quickly. 

None of these activities requires you to invest hours of your time, especially if your energy is limited. However, a minimum of several minutes each day is likely to provide you with the following benefits:

Feeling in Control

The fact that you are learning something will help you feel like you are taking charge of something at a time when much of life may feel beyond your control.

Becoming Less Reliant on Others

Knowledge is power and will allow you to have more input into decisions rather than solely relying on someone more expert.

Manage Your Day

For example, if you feel too weak to perform certain activities, you may find ways to navigate around this.

Reduce Anxiety

Lack of information can lead some to imagine worst-case scenarios, which can cause anxiety. Becoming knowledgeable can help you become more knowledgeable and pragmatic, therefore reducing these feelings.

Reduce Depression

Becoming proactive creates purpose and engagement, which has been linked to reductions in depression.

Become better prepared

By understanding the map of your illness, you are better equipped to identify the potential pitfalls before you run into them. This will allow you to formulate contingency plans.

Enable you to make plans.

Knowing what to expect will enable you to determine what you can still plan in the short or long term, as well as what to let go of.

Improve long term outcomes

Your chances of living a more manageable life improve if you are armed with knowledge on how to manage your illness.

Benefits others

If you become knowledgeable about living with and managing your condition, you will be in a strong position to benefit and guide others.