Factors supporting self-management in Parkinson's disease: implications for nursing practice.
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Int J Older People Nurs, 2008, 3 (3), pp. 187 - 193
- Issue Date:
- 2008-09
Closed Access
| Filename | Description | Size | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 2007002917OK.pdf | 135.82 kB |
Copyright Clearance Process
- Recently Added
- In Progress
- Closed Access
This item is closed access and not available.
Aim. To identify the factors associated with better self-management in people with moderate to high levels of Parkinson's disease following an acute illness event. Design and methods. A prospective, descriptive study conducted with 75 persons with Parkinson's disease over the age of 55, collected twice: within a week of an acute event and 1 month later, after resuming usual life at home. Participants completed a questionnaire on self-rated health status, self-efficacy, sense of coherence, symptom monitoring and medication and general self-management. Background. Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological condition that affects many dimensions of life, including threats to self-identity and confidence in self-management. Self-management has the potential to reduce costs through decreased hospital admissions, disease progression and avoidance of complications. While evidence for the relationships between self-management and self-efficacy and sense of coherence has been demonstrated in some chronic illness groups, this has not previously been demonstrated in Parkinson's disease. Results. The independent predictors of better self-management were not being hospitalized in the last 6 months, more frequent symptom checking and better self-efficacy for self-management. The influence of other factors on self-management, such as sense of coherence, was mediated through self-efficacy. Support of family and others was associated with better self-efficacy both directly and through an improved sense of coherence. Conclusions and relevance to nursing practice. The presence of informal support plays an important role in sustaining self-efficacy and sense of coherence and hence self-management in persons with Parkinson's disease. Since these attributes are amenable to change, nurses are in a good position to encourage participation in Parkinson's support groups, teach self-management skills through regular symptom monitoring and to assess and promote self-efficacy and sense of coherence.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: