Self-efficacy is often defined as one's belief in their ability to manage or change their circumstances, behaviors or condition. Individuals with a high level of self-efficacy are often seen as actively participating in positive health behaviors.
A patient with high self-efficacy is more likely to present as confident in their ability to succeed and put forth the effort needed to develop and master the lifestyle changes required to manage their condition.1
Improving and promoting patient self-efficacy may be vital in managing chronic conditions efficiently and effectively for many patients. Providers can help improve patients' self-efficacy by promoting skills to ensure the patient can take responsibility and actively make the lifestyle changes needed to thrive with their condition.
Promoting self-efficacy shifts the patient's expectation of an exclusively passive cure to an active and involved approach in their recommended plan of care.2-5
Active self-management for chronic conditions relieves some responsibility from the provider and requires more patient responsibility. Much of the process of facilitating self-efficacy begins with patient education.
How to Facilitate Self-Efficacy
Patients who understand their condition are more likely to comply with a recommended course of care and develop self-management skills. The core aspects of self-efficacy will facilitate new habit formation and management ability while reinforcing the recommended treatment plan from the provider.
Together, the patient and the provider can identify barriers to completing a treatment plan, establish home care recommendations, set attainable goals, and identify optimal behavioral strategies such as those of an active lifestyle and exercise that help to reduce or avoid exacerbations.5-6
These self-efficacy skills are developed through behavior modification strategies and lifestyle changes.5, 7 Key components to include in an active based plan of care that promotes self-efficacy and patient responsibility include:
- Self-monitoring – recognizing behaviors or lifestyle patterns that exacerbate their condition
- Goal setting – establishing short- and long-term goals that are attainable and motivating in initiating a lifestyle or behavior change
- Action planning – writing a detailed outline of the actions that will be taken to achieve the goals set and following through with the provider's recommended plan or care
- Problem-solving – having clear strategies to overcome perceived barriers and behaviors that may impede the change process
Benefits for Provider and Patient
Patients who can improve their self-efficacy will ultimately be more apt to initiate a behavior change and put forth the effort needed to develop and master new lifestyle modifications required to self-manage their condition.1, 4 Providers who foster self-efficacy in their patients are more likely to see better outcomes and long-term solutions in managing chronic conditions.3-7
References
- Glanz K, Rimer, BK, Viswanath K. Health Behavior: Theory, Research, and Practice, 5th Edition. Jossey-Bass, 2015.
- Beliveau PJ, Wong JJ, Sutton DA, et al. The chiropractic profession: a scoping review of utilization rates, reasons for seeking care, patient profiles, and care provided. Chiro & Manual Ther, 2017;25(1).
- Cameron JE, Voth J, Jaglal SB, et al. "In this together": social identification predicts health outcomes (via self-efficacy) in a chronic disease self-management program. Social Sci & Med, 2018;208:172–179.
- Hoffman AJ. Enhancing self-efficacy for optimized patient outcomes through the theory of symptom self-management. Cancer Nursing, 2013;36(1).
- Hutting N, Johnston V, Staal JB, Heerkens YF. Promoting the use of self-management strategies for people with persistent musculoskeletal disorders: the role of physical Therapists. J Ortho & Sports Phys Ther, 2019;49(4):212-215.
- Du S, Yuan C, Xiao X, et al. Self-management programs for chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Education and Counseling, 2011;85(3).
- Elbers S, Wittink H, Pool JJM, Smeets RJEM. The effectiveness of generic self-management interventions for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain on physical function, self-efficacy, pain intensity and physical activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Euro J Pain, 2018;22(9):1577-1596.
