Behaviorally-oriented programs, often with special attention to changing the environment in which patients care for themselves, are consistently more successful at improving the clinical course of chronic disease.

Self-management education programs exist for many chronic conditions, including arthritis, asthma, diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Because of the nature of chronic disease, management varies over time, with treatments adjusted according to changes in patient symptoms and fluctuations in the disease process. Consequently, the patient plays an integral role in the management of chronic disease. Patients having a chronic disease go through

• Patient Education
• Self-Care
• Self-Help
• Self-Management programs