title: Processes of self-management in chronic illness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Self-management is a dynamic process in which individuals actively manage a chronic illness. Self-management models are limited in their specification of the processes of self-management. The purpose of this article is to delineate processes of self-management in order to help direct interventions and improve health outcomes for individuals with a chronic illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative metasynthesis techniques were used to analyze 101 studies published between January 2000 and April 2011 that described processes of self-management in chronic illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-management processes were extracted from each article and were coded. Similar codes were clustered into categories. The analysis continued until a final categorization was reached.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three categories of self-management processes were identified: focusing on illness needs; activating resources; and living with a chronic illness. Tasks and skills were delineated for each category.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This metasynthesis expands on current descriptions of self-management processes by specifying a more complete spectrum of self-management processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers can best facilitate self-management by coordinating self-management activities, by recognizing that different self-management processes vary in importance to patients over time, and by having ongoing communication with patients and providers to create appropriate self-management plans.
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, CT 06536, USA. dena.schulman-green@yale.edu
authors.forename: Dena
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schulman-Green
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaser
authors.forename: Faith
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alonzo
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grey
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCorkle
authors.forename: Nancy S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Redeker
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittemore
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*