Patient Satisfaction and Perspectives on Self-Management Education Programs: A Qualitative Study

Laetitia Ricci; Marie Buzzi; Joelle Kivits; Anne-Christine Rat

doi:10.2147/PPA.S414126

Patient Satisfaction and Perspectives on Self-Management Education Programs: A Qualitative Study

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2023 Sep 1:17:2175-2186. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S414126. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Laetitia Ricci^{1

2}, Marie Buzzi^{1

2}, Joelle Kivits², Anne-Christine Rat^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ CIC, Epidémiologie Clinique, CHRU-Nancy, INSERM, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, F-54000, France.
² APEMAC, équipe MICS, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, F-54000, France.
³ UMR-S 1075-Mobilités: Vieillissement, Pathologie, Santé COMETE, Caen Normandie University, Caen, France.

Abstract

Purpose: According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, "Self-management education (SME) refers to programs that help people who have ongoing health conditions learn how to live life to the fullest". Most studies to date have focused on SME outcomes, such as the acquisition of predefined knowledge or skills or quality of life. However, no study has yet investigated patients' satisfaction with SMEs. The aim of the present study was therefore to explore participants' subjective appreciation of SME programs using qualitative methods and formulate propositions based on patients' preferences to improve ultimately clinical outcomes.

Patients and methods: Twenty-five participants from five French SME programs to conduct focus groups were recruited. An inductive approach using grounded theory as an overall methodology orientation for the thematic analysis process has been followed. The study was reported in compliance with the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research criteria (COREQ).

Results: Patients expressed great satisfaction concerning the effective delivery of SME sessions. They appreciated the considerations for their concerns and needs, the adaptation of sessions' content to their interests and questions, and learning to take care of themselves. Moreover, patients had a positive opinion on the quality of their relationship with health care providers. However, the major point of improvement of SMEs was the opportunity to repeat the program if needed, as this opportunity was not offered. This consideration was particularly salient when patients did not consider themselves autonomous for disease management at the end of the program, ie, when they had low levels of perceived self-efficacy.

Conclusion: While patients expressed great satisfaction regarding SME programs, our results suggest that some changes might be needed to make the endpoint of SME interventions coincide with the patient's perception of self-efficacy in disease self-management and ultimately improve clinical outcomes.

Keywords: patients view; qualitative methods; satisfaction; self-efficacy; self-management educations.

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the French Ministry of Health (Programme de Recherche sur la Performance du système de Soins (PREPS). The funding agency played no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; the decision to submit for publication or preparation, review or approval of the manuscript for publication.