Unlocking the Power of Self-Care: Why Health Professionals Need More Support to Help Patients Thrive
New research reveals the critical role of self-care in managing long-term health conditions—but are healthcare professionals equipped to make it work?
Our latest study from our Multimorbidity and Mental Health theme, titled 'Drivers and barriers to promoting self-care in individuals living with multiple long-term health conditions: a cross-sectional online survey of health and care professionals', has shed light on self-care's vital role in improving health outcomes for people with multiple long-term conditions. While health and social care professionals (H&SCPs) overwhelmingly support self-care as a key strategy, the study reveals significant knowledge, training, and resources gaps that could limit its success.
With multimorbidity on the rise, the research underscores the urgent need for healthcare systems to equip professionals better to promote self-care effectively. Alarmingly, 32.2% of H&SCPs admitted they lack practical strategies to sustain health-seeking behaviours in their patients, while 21.5% reported gaps in their ability to coach individuals in self-care techniques.
The study, conducted via an online survey of 70 professionals across England, found that loneliness (18.9%) and mobility issues (14.3%) were among the biggest barriers preventing patients from managing their conditions effectively. Social prescribing—connecting patients with non-medical support such as community groups—was cited as the most used method to promote self-care. Yet, the evidence of its long-term impact remains limited.
One striking finding was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of self-care for 92.9% of respondents. However, less than half (44.9%) felt the pandemic positively affected their ability to support self-care, suggesting that while the crisis raised awareness, structural barriers remain.
“This study is just the first step in unpacking the complex factors that shape self-care behaviours in patients with multimorbidity. Understanding these determinants is crucial if we want to move beyond rhetoric & truly empower people to take charge of their personal health & wellbeing journey. Our hope is that this work will spark deeper conversations about how self-care & effective self-management can be promoted as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare" - Dr Austen El-Osta.
The report calls for a fundamental shift in how healthcare professionals are trained and supported to embed self-care into routine care. "Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in empowering patients, but without the right training and resources, their ability to foster long-term behaviour change is limited," the authors note.
As the NHS moves towards more integrated, person-centred care, the study highlights an urgent need for investment in professional development, targeted training, and system-wide support to make self-care a sustainable reality for patients.
Associated Theme:
This news story is associated with our Multimorbidity and Mental Health theme