Self-management Education Programs in Chronic Disease

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Abstract
More than 100 million people in the United States have a chronic disease, and more than $650 billion is spent managing chronic diseases each year.1 Because of the nature of chronic disease, management varies over time, with treatments adjusted according to changes in patient symptoms and fluctuations in the disease process. Consequently, the patient plays an integral role in the management of chronic disease.2,3 The Institute of Medicine report entitled Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century acknowledged self-management education as an important aspect of quality care.4 However, such programs have typically received less scrutiny than other types of health care interventions.