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In the peer-reviewed literature the term \u2018self-care\u2019 is used to talk about how patients with chronic illness monitor and manage their condition, and the steps they take to improve or sustain their overall health.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is used to distinguish between care provided by medical professionals (other care), versus the care patients provide to themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My PhD was actually in this space, giving people with coronary artery disease the knowledge and skills necessary to better manage their psychological health following a heart attack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The goal of self-care education therefore is to equip those with illness with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their condition and enhance their health. Why? Well there are limits (even with regular appointments to what a medical professional) to what a health professional can achieve without a patient taking responsibility for some aspects of their own care. A patient lives with themselves 24\/7, 365 days a year, whereas a medical professional might only see them a few times per year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And there are benefits to self-care. Patients who can take responsibility for multiple aspects of managing their condition usually show better clinical outcomes. It isn\u2019t surprising really, given that self-care gives a person a sense of control and autonomy over their illness and life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whilst \u2018self-care\u2019 remains an active topic in the peer reviewed literature, the term has now slipped into common parlance and is used to encourage anyone, regardless of illness status, to take active steps to look after their health and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n