Self‐management in adolescents with chronic illness. What does it mean and how can it be achieved?

The concept of self‐management is based on the notion that it will improve wellbeing and strengthen self‐determination and participation in health care, while reducing health care utilisation and health costs. Increasing self‐management is a desirable goal for the 15%–20% of children and adolescents...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical journal of Australia 2005-10, Vol.183 (8), p.405-409
Main Authors: Sawyer, Susan M, Aroni, Rosalie A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Development
Adolescent Health Services - organization & administration
Adult
Adults
Australia
Biological and medical sciences
Child development
Chronic Disease - therapy
Chronic illnesses
Confidentiality
Disease management
Female
General aspects
General medicine
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health services utilization
Humans
Male
Medical personnel
Medical sciences
Parent-Child Relations
Parents & parenting
Pediatric medicine
Physician-Patient Relations
Professionals
Self Care - methods
Social Support
Teenagers
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The concept of self‐management is based on the notion that it will improve wellbeing and strengthen self‐determination and participation in health care, while reducing health care utilisation and health costs. Increasing self‐management is a desirable goal for the 15%–20% of children and adolescents who have a significant ongoing health care need related to a chronic health condition. Promoting self‐management in young people with chronic illness can be difficult for parents and health care practitioners. Doctors can help parents recognise the potentially competing aspects of the parenting role — protecting young people's health while supporting their growing independence and autonomy. Optimal care may or may not be achievable, depending on a young person's level of development. As children mature through adolescence, they increasingly want their own voice to be heard, as well as the right to privacy and confidentiality in health care consultations. As well as listening to parents and supporting their roles, doctors should see young people alone for part of the consultation, taking a psychosocial history and carefully maintaining confidentiality.
ISSN:0025-729X
1326-5377
DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2005.tb07103.x