What is the Evidence that Increasing Engagement of Individuals in Self-Management Improves the Processes and Outcomes of Care?

There is increasing evidence that collaborative decision making between patient and practitioner can lead to a more active and engaged patient in the treatment process with measurable improvements in knowledge, skills, well-being and clinical risk. There is trial evidence to support self-management approaches at the individual, group and social levels. However no studies have yet demonstrated effects on diabetes disease endpoints, and economic analyses are absent or weak. Moreover, mechanisms of action remain poorly understood and further research is still needed in those areas.