title: A role for patients: the argument for self-care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article discusses the role of patients and self-care enabled through the use of technology. Patients have shown interest in healthcare tools that are artfully designed and based on their wants and personal habits. The expectation is that, as these tools evolve, patients will find sufficient motivation and capability to join with their providers to co-manage their health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of research published between 2001 and 2012 was conducted in 2011. The areas where research still needs to be conducted include our gaps in understanding about the relationship between self-care and engagement with technology (that might facilitate self-care), and the issues that determine why and when consumers engage with technology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence increasingly suggests that patient engagement in self-care, particularly with respect to coping with chronic disease, can improve medical outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Technology platforms are important to patient self-care. But a more-important need is to change workflows/incentive structures to support long-term behavioral change.
authors.affiliation: THINK-Health and Health Populi blog, USA. jane@think-health.com
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarasohn-Kahn
mesh_terms: D020811:Biomedical Technology / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome