The effect of a community-based group intervention on chronic disease self-management in a vulnerable population.

Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are predominantly related to modifiable health behaviors and account for 74% of global deaths at present. Behavior modification through self-management is a strategy to prevent NCDs. Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMPs) have demonstrated improvements in health behaviors, health status, and use of healthcare. Objective: We evaluated the effects of a 6-week CDSMP on self-efficacy, health behaviors, mental health, health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), and health responsibilities among vulnerable populations with chronic disease in Europe. Methods: A prospective cohort study with a 6-month pre-post single-group design was conducted in five European countries. The intervention targeted adults with chronic conditions and low socioeconomic status, as well as their caregivers. The intervention was a 6-week community-based CDSMP in a group setting. Outcomes were measured per self-report questionnaire at baseline and 6-month follow-up: self-efficacy, health behaviors, mental health, HR-QoL, and health responsibilities. Results: Of 1,844 participants, 1,248 (67.7%) completed follow-up and attended ≥4 sessions. For the chronic condition group, the following outcome measures at follow-up significantly improved compared with baseline (all P < 0.002): self-efficacy (SEMCD-6 6.7 vs. 6.4), mental health (PHQ-8 6.3 vs. 7.0), HR-QoL (SF-12 PCS 42.3 vs. 40.2, SF-12 MCS 42.8 vs. 41.4), health utility (EQ-5D-5L 0.88 vs. 0.86), self-rated health (EQ-5D-5L 67.2 vs. 63.9), communication with healthcare providers (2.28 vs. 2.11), understanding information (3.10 vs. 3.02), number of doctor visits (3.61 vs. 4.97), accident and emergency department visits (0.25 vs. 0.48), total nights in a hospital (0.65 vs. 1.13), and perceived medical errors (19.6 vs. 28.7%). No significant changes were detected in dietary habits, physical activity, substance use, and sleep and fatigue. For caregivers without a chronic condition, only doctor visits significantly decreased (1.54 vs. 2.25, P < 0.001). Discussion: This CDSMP was associated with improvement in self-efficacy, depression, HR-QoL, and health responsibilities over 6 months in a diverse European population with a chronic condition. However, additional interventions targeting lifestyle risk factors are needed to improve health outcomes.

Impact of the chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) on self-perceived frailty condition: the EU-EFFICHRONIC project.

INTRODUCTION: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) improves self-efficacy and health outcomes in people with chronic diseases. In the context of the EFFICHRONIC project, we evaluated the efficacy of CDSMP in relieving frailty, as assessed by the self-administered version of Multidimensional Prognostic Index (SELFY-MPI), identifying also potential predictors of better response over 6-month follow-up. METHODS: The SELFY-MPI explores mobility, basal and instrumental activities of daily living (Barthel mobility, ADL, IADL), cognition (Test Your Memory-TYM Test), nutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form-MNA-SF), comorbidities, medications, and socio-economic conditions (social-familiar evaluation scale-SFES). Participants were stratified in three groups according to the 6-month change of SELFY-MPI: those who improved after CDSMP (Δ SELFY-MPI < 0), those who remained unchanged (Δ SELFY-MPI = 0), and those who worsened (Δ SELFY-MPI > 0). Multivariable logistic regression was modeled to identify predictors of SELFY-MPI improvement. RESULTS: Among 270 participants (mean age = 61.45 years, range = 26-93 years; females = 78.1%) a benefit from CDSMP intervention, in terms of decrease in the SELFY-MPI score, was observed in 32.6% of subjects. SELFY-MPI improvement was found in participants with higher number of comorbidities (1-2 chronic diseases: adjusted odd ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.01, 5.58; ⩾ 3 chronic diseases: aOR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.25, 8.90 vs no chronic disease), poorer cognitive performance (TYM ⩽ 42: aOR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.12, 5.19 vs TYM > 42) or higher risk of malnutrition (MNA-SF ⩽ 11: aOR = 6.11, 95% CI = 3.15, 11.83 vs MNA-SF > 11). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the CDSMP intervention contributes to decreasing the self-perceived severity of frailty (SELFY-MPI score) in more vulnerable participants with several chronic diseases and lower cognitive performance and nutritional status.

EFFICHRONIC study protocol: a non-controlled, multicentre European prospective study to measure the efficiency of a chronic disease self-management programme in socioeconomically vulnerable populations.

INTRODUCTION: More than 70% of world mortality is due to chronic conditions. Furthermore, it has been proven that social determinants have an enormous impact on both health-related behaviour and on the received attention from healthcare services. These determinants cause health inequalities. The objective of this study is to reduce the burden of chronic diseases in five European regions, hereby focusing on vulnerable populations, and to increase the sustainability of health systems by implementing a chronic disease self-management programme (CDSMP). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 2000 people with chronic conditions or informal caregivers belonging to vulnerable populations, will be enrolled in the CDSMP in Spain, Italy, the UK, France and the Netherlands. Inclusion of patients will be based on geographical, socioeconomic and clinical stratification processes. The programme will be evaluated in terms of self-efficacy, quality of life and cost-effectiveness using a combination of validated questionnaires at baseline and 6 months from baseline. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study will follow the directives of the Helsinki Declaration and will adhere to the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. The project's activities, progress and outcomes will be disseminated via promotional materials, the use of mass media, online activities, presentations at events and scientific publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN70517103; Pre-results.

Community and family nurse: Present keys, future challenges. / Enfermería Familiar y Comunitaria: claves de presente, retos de futuro.

It is the mission of the Community and Family Nurse through an integral and holistic approach to accompany people from cradle to death in developing their health potential, and promote different family, work and social environments to facilitate this development. Throughout history, various international, European and national organizations have regulated the figure of the Community and Family Nurse, and now their functions, powers and professional performance are fully regulated. The Community and Family Nurse can respond to the needs of a changing population and take on new responsibilities in management and research. Their extensive basic and advanced skills gathered under a rigorous training programme, benefit the health system, the nursing profession, citizenry and its communities. Many challenges remain for the Health Departments of each Autonomous Region to make it possible for this specialty to develop its full potential for improving care.

[Modifying habits and treatment adherence, essential for controlling the chronic disease]. / La modificación de los hábitos y la adherencia terapéutica, clave para el control de la enfermedad crónica.

Therapeutic adherence is defined as the extent to which a person's behavior (taking medications, following a diet and changes in lifestyle) coincides with health recommendations (WHO, 2004). We can deduce that is a multiple, complex and changing phenomenon, that there can be total or partial adherence to a treatment, and depending on timing and circumstances. Lack of adherence is a worrying problem; due to its great magnitude and complexity (over two hundred factors) it is responsible for the increased morbid-mortality, complications, hospital admissions, health costs, and dissatisfaction of the user and health professionals. In this paper we develop effective interventions in changing habits and improving adherence: cognitive (education and improved communication), behavior and motivation. Interventions areas include pharmacological treatments, habits and life style, as well as social and family support. The most effective model emphasizes self-care and self-responsibility of the user to manage their disease and increase adherence.