In the UK angina affects 2 million people (BHF, 2010b) and unfortunately secondary prevention interventions such as Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) are not widely available for this population (NACR, 2011). This doctoral research project examined the effectiveness and feasibility of an alternative intervention for this population; CR delivered via the internet. The programme was interactive and comprised personalised goal setting orientated around exercise, diet, emotions, and smoking with support available through an online email link or synchronised chat room. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate the intervention. Primary care patients with angina were randomised to either an intervention group (n=48) or to a control group that did not receive any intervention other than treatment as usual (n=47). Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 6 week and 6 month follow ups. The primary outcome measure was daily steps (measured objectively using Sensewear Pro 3® accelerometer technology). Secondary outcome measures included daily energy expenditure (EE), daily duration of sedentary activity (DDSA), daily duration of moderate activity (DDMA), daily duration of vigorous activity (DDVA), weight, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), body fat %, fat intake, fibre intake, anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, and health related quality of life (HRQOL). At the 6 week follow up the intervention group had greater improvements than the control group in daily steps, daily EE, DDSA, DDMA, weight, self-efficacy, emotional quality of life and frequency of angina symptoms. In addition, at the 6 month follow up there were significantly greater improvements in anxiety, and frequency of angina symptoms among the intervention group compared to the control group. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a subsample of intervention group participants at the 6 week follow up (n=16). Themes resulting from these interviews indicated a high level of programme acceptability and feasibility; ‘self reported improvements’ and ‘programme facilitators’. However, the theme labelled ‘programme barriers’ illustrated intervention related challenges which should be taken into account when delivering the programme. Overall the study demonstrated that a new web based CR programme was effective at improving lifestyle related cardiac risk factors for a primary care angina population in both the short-term (significantly improved daily steps, DDSA, DDMA, weight, self-efficacy, emotional QOL and frequency of angina) and medium-term (significantly improved anxiety, and frequency of angina). These findings on the whole suggest that the programme could be offered to a primary care angina population who are not routinely included within conventional CR. However, there is a need to consider the factors described to affect engagement of the programme; family and work commitments, bad weather, older age, receiving the programme late in angina diagnosis and levels of self-motivation.

Bakgrund: Diabetes typ 2 är en endokrin sjukdom och är en av de största folksjukdomarna i världen. Förhöjda blodsockervärden gör att både små och stora blodkärl tar skada och detta leder till olika komplikationer såsom hjärtinfarkt, stroke och njurskador. Med hjälp av viktnedgång, kostreglering, regelbundet fysisk aktivitet och övervakning av blodglukosnivåerna kan risken för komplikationer förebyggas. Genom att förebygga komplikationer kan livskvaliteten främja patientens dagliga liv. En del av diabetesvården består av egenvårdsprogram där patienten får stöd och rådgivning att hantera sin diabetes. Syfte: Denna litteraturstudie syftar till att studera vilka faktorer i egenvårdsprogram som främjar livskvaliteten hos patienter med diabetes typ 2. Metod: Litteraturstudie, artiklarna söktes i databaserna CINAHL, PubMed och Web of Science. 14 kvantitativa artiklar inkluderades. Resultat: Resultatet visade att information, individuell målsättning och uppföljning var viktiga faktorer i egenvårdsprogrammen för att främja livskvaliteten hos patienter med diabetes typ 2. Slutsats: Att leva med diabetes typ 2 kräver noggrannhet och planering i det dagliga livet. Egenvårdsprogram kan minska risken för komplikationer där följsamhet till egenvården främjas och livskvaliteten gynnas. / Background: Type 2 diabetes is an endocrine disorder and one of the major diseases in the world. Increase in blood sugar levels allows both small and large blood vessels are damaged and this leads to various complications such as heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. Using weight loss, diet control, regular physical activity, and monitoring of blood glucose levels, the risk of complications can be prevent. Preventing complications can promote the quality of life and improve the patient's daily life. In the diabetes care, self- management programs are a part where patients receives support and advice to manage their diabetes. Aim: Important factors in self-management programs that promote the quality of life for patients with diabetes type 2. Method: A literature review, the articles were searched in the databases CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science. 14 quantitative articles were included. Results: The results showed that information, individual goal setting and follow-up where the key factors in self-care programs for promoting the quality of life in patients with diabetes type 2. Conclusion: Living with type 2 diabetes require precision and planning of daily life. Selfmanagement programs can reduce the risk of complications where adherence to self-care promotion and to promote quality of life.

Heart failure is a chronic illness requiring self-management to prolong individual lifespan while improving quality of life. The intent of this doctoral project was to conduct a quality improvement (QI) program focused on systematically educating patients about a two gram sodium diet, by using an educational pamphlet, provider-based patient-centered teaching, and follow up during the transition period between hospital discharge and first outpatient visit. This QI project provided systematic education for newly diagnosed heart failure patients to increase knowledge about a two gram sodium diet and facilitate translation of knowledge into self-management. The QI project used the plan, do, study, act model and was implemented by the Heart Failure Educator at Banner University Medical Center-Tucson. Patients were given the Sodium Restriction Questionnaire, to determine baseline knowledge and behavior, then educated on a two gram sodium diet and given a pamphlet with the same information for home reference. At home, patients were expected to document daily sodium intake and weight and received a phone call twice a week to obtain these values. Twice a week, patients received visual feedback to illustrate their self-management from a graph that represented personal sodium and weight values. After two weeks the same questionnaire was given to determine possible improvement. The average pre assessment questionnaire score was 19 and the average post assessment score was 21.2, showing an average improvement score of 2.2. All five patients, 100%, consumed less sodium and ingested less than two grams during the second week of monitoring sodium intake and daily weight compared to week one. Three patients, 60%, had lower average daily weight during week two by three to five pounds compared to week one. On average the patients consumed 307.18 milligrams less sodium and weighed 2.56 pounds less during week two. Results suggest that educating patients on a two gram sodium diet and providing transitional support from hospital to home, using individualized graphs and patient recording of daily sodium intake and weight, improved self-management behavior and knowledge as evidenced by improved average weight and sodium consumption and an average two point increase on the post assessment questionnaire.

Per pastaruosius 5-10 metų Lietuvos kultūrinė rinka susiduria su kaip niekad daug probleminio pobūdžio uždavinių. Tai kultūrinės veiklos ir verslo jungčių bei kultūrinių mainų su kitomis Europos ir pasaulio šalimis pasekmė, kuri smarkiai įtakoja Lietuvos muzikinį gyvenimą. Šiame tiriamajame darbe pristatoma asmeninės vadybos tema, atskleidžiant jos vaidmenį profesionalių muzikos atlikėjų veikloje. Iškeliama dviejų profesijų – muzikos atlikėjo ir vadybininko - jungties, vaidmenų pasiskirstymo problematika. Analizuojami giluminių interviu, anketinės apklausos duomenys, Lietuvos muzikos atlikėjų bei kūrėjų praktikos Lietuvoje ir Europos šalyse, apžvelgiami literatūros šaltiniai šia tema, pristatomos vadybininko pareigybės, agentų darbo savitumai. Darbo tikslas – atskleisti asmeninės vadybos vaidmens profesionalių muzikos atlikėjų veikloje reikšmingumą. Šiam tikslui pasiekti išsikelti uždaviniai: 1. pristatyti asmeninę vadybą teoriniu aspektu – apžvelgti literatūrą asmeninės vadybos tema, išskirti pagrindinius asmeninės vadybos dėsnius; 2. apžvelgti vadybos ir muzikinių įgūdžių derinimo aktualumo apraiškas Lietuvos muzikinėje rinkoje; 3. išaiškinti vadybininko pareigybes, agento darbo savitumą; 4. pristatyti Lietuvos menininkų praktikas, taikant asmeninės vadybos žinias profesionalaus muzikos atlikėjo, kūrėjo veikloje Lietuvoje ir Europos šalyse; 5. pateikti prielaidas, optimalaus santykio tarp vadybos ir meno įgūdžių modelio sukūrimui. Remiantis atliktų tyrimų medžiaga... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The Lithuanian cultural market, as never before, has faced many various problematic tasks over last five to ten years. This is a result of ties between cultural activities and businesses as well as cultural exchange with countries in Europe and elsewhere in the world, which is considerably influencing the musical life in Lithuania. This research presents the subject of self-management demonstrating its role in the activities of professional music performers. The issues of the link and the role division between two professions – music performer and manager – are raised. The data obtained from in-depth interviews and questionnaires are analysed, as well as the experience Lithuanian music performers and creators gained inside the country and in European countries; literature about the subject is surveyed; the job of the manager and the peculiarities of the agents’ work are presented. The goal of the study is to demonstrate the importance of the role of self-management in the activities of professional music performers. To achieve this goal the following tasks were undertaken: 1. To present self-management from the theoretical aspect – to survey literature about the subject, and to formulate the main laws of self-management; 2. To survey the importance of the conformity between the expression of management and musical skills in the Lithuanian musical market; 3. To explain the job of management and the peculiarities of the agents work; 4. To present the experience applying... [to full text]

Background: Traditional psychosocial treatments have been adapted for use with individuals with bipolar affective disorders due to the limited prophylactic nature of pharmacotherapy and the recognition of the role of psychosocial factors in the course of this disorder. Psychosocial interventions that include a prodromal monitoring and management component have been empirically shown to be an effective adjunct to medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Aims: There is a deficit of quantitative research that examines the impact of individualrelated (e.g. age, self-efficacy), disorder-related (e.g. time since diagnosis, experience of prodromal symptoms) and treatment-related (e.g. level of psychosocial input) factors on individuals’ ability to manage this disorder via the use of prodromal monitoring. The current research aimed to investigate factors that are associated with the identification and management of prodromal symptoms. Method: Participants completed five self-report measures in order to provide information on their experience of prodromal symptoms, current mood state, general self-efficacy, view of social support from significant others, and demographic and clinical-related variables. The data were collected from 101 participants, 58 of whom were female. The sample consisted of individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I and II. Results: Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to explore the relationship between individual, disorder, and treatment-related variables associated with participants’ experience of bipolar disorder. Variables that were significantly associated with participants’ perception of their ability to identify and manage prodromes were further investigated using ordinal logistic regression analyses. The results indicated that general self-efficacy and prodromal-specific help from significant others were associated with an increase in participants’ perception of their ability to identify manic and depressive prodromal symptoms. General self-efficacy was also associated with participants’ view of their ability to manage cognitive and behavioural prodromes. Experience of prodromal symptoms (e.g. consistency of symptoms experienced, type of prodrome experienced) was associated the participants’ perception of their ability to identify and manage prodromes. In general, disorder-related variables (e.g. time since diagnosis, mood state, diagnosis type, and number of episodes experienced) were not significantly associated with the participants’ view of their ability to identify and manage prodromal symptoms. Individual-related variables such as gender and age, however, were associated with prodromal identification. Conclusion: The results indicated the need to consider constructs such as general selfefficacy and experience of prodromal symptoms (e.g. consistency of symptoms, types of prodromes experienced, and ability to recognise prodromes when they first present) when helping patients to learn how to identify and manage prodromal symptoms. In addition gender differences and the role of help from significant others were highlighted as variables that should be considered when using prodromal monitoring approaches with patients with bipolar disorder. Limitations of the research are reviewed in relation to the methodology used. Clinical implications and directions for future research are considered.

Bakgrund: Diabetes mellitus typ 2 är ett globalt problem som blir allt vanligare. Den nödvändiga egenvården kräver mycket av diabetes typ 2-patienten, och vårdpersonalen behöver adekvat kompetens för att kunna stötta dessa individer på bästa sätt. Syfte: Att undersöka patienters upplevelse av egenvård vid diabetes mellitus typ 2. Metod: En litteraturöversikt har gjorts baserat på elva originalartiklar tillgängliga på databaserna CINAHL Complete och PubMed. Artiklarna analyserades enligt Friberg, och teman och subteman skapades. Resultat: Resultatet presenteras i fyra teman. Det första temat är Patienters upplevelse av kostförändringar och har tre subteman: Kunskap och motivation, Kostförändringars inverkan på livskvalitet samt Egenvårdskontroll. Två andra teman som presenteras är Upplevelsen av läkemedelsbehandling och Upplevelsen av egenvård genom motion. Det fjärde och sista temat är Sjukvårdens roll i egenvården och presenteras genom tre subteman: Upplevelsen av gruppbaserad utbildning, Behov av stöd i egenvården samt Upplevelsen av mötet med sjukvården. Diskussion: Huvudfynden i resultatet analyserades för att se likheter och olikheter i de upplevelser som patienterna beskrivit. Dessa upplevelser diskuteras under två rubriker; Stödjande faktorer för egenvård och Försvårande faktorer för egenvård. Resultatet diskuterades utifrån Dorothea Orems egenvårdsteori samt konsensusbegreppet hälsa. / Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a global problem that is increasing worldwide. The necessary self-management is demanding a lot of the type 2 diabetes-patient, and the health professionals needs adequate competence to be able to support these individuals in the best way. Aim: To examine patients' experience of self-management in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: A literature review has been made based on eleven original articles available on the databases CINAHL Complete and PubMed. The articles were analysed according to Friberg, and themes and subthemes were created. Results: The result is presented in four themes. The first theme is Patients´ experience of dietary changes and has three subthemes: Knowledge and motivation, Dietary changes and its impact on the quality of life and Self-management control. Two other themes are presented as The experience of drug treatment and The experience of self-management through physical activity. The fourth and last theme is The role of healthcare in self-management and is presented through three subthemes: The experience of group based education, The need of support in self-management and The experience of the meeting with the healthcare. Discussion: The main findings in the result were analysed to discover similarities and differences within the experiences as described by patients. These experiences were then discussed under two subtitles; Supporting factors for self-management and Aggravating factors for self-management. The result was discussed from the theory of self-care by Dorothea Orem and the consensus concept of health.

This empirical study is aimed at understanding the patterns of relationships among the organization structure of self-managed work teams in terms of three sets of constructs: 1. organization-based self-esteem; 2. consequent behaviors of intrinsic work motivation, general job satisfaction, organization citizenship, and organization commitment; and 3. performance. The primary significance of this study is that it adds to the pool of empirical knowledge in the field of self-managed work team research. The significance of this study to practicing managers is that it can help them make better-informed decisions on the use of the self-managed work team structure. This study was a sample survey composed of five standardized questionnaires using a five-point Likert-type scale, open-ended questions, and demographic questions. Unstructured interviews supplemented the structured survey and for means of triangulation of results. The variables were analyzed using regression analysis for the purpose of path analysis. The site was a manufacturing plant structured around self-managed work teams. The population was full-time, first-line production employees.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Although it is well known that self-care reduces the frequency of hospital admissions and exacerbations and enhances quality of life (QOL) in heart failure (HF) patients, little is known about self-care in this population. Therefore, the study purpose was to examine relationships among selected individual characteristics (demographics, severity of illness, comorbidities, and social support), self-care strategies, and QOL using Reigel's Model of Self Care in Patients with Heart Failure as the guiding framework. In this descriptive correlational study, self-care was measured using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI), which measures self-care maintenance (SC-Mt), self-care management (SC-Mn), and self-care self-confidence (SC-Sc). QOL was measured using a disease-specific instrument, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (LHFQ), and a generic instrument, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) characterizing physical and mental-emotional functioning. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of QOL.Data were collected using Dillman's tailored design method for surveys. One hundred and sixty-five patients with HF were invited through a mailed letter and a survey packet to participate in this study. Five potential participants requested not to take part in the study, seven were reported as being deceased, and 23 letters were returned as undeliverable. After the initial mailing, we discontinued mailings to them. Thus, out of a possible sample of 130 subjects, 98 participants completed and returned questionnaires for a response rate of 75.38%.The sample (mean age = 56.33 years, SD = 13.65) included 56.1% males and 43.9% females and consisted of 48% Caucasians and 52% non-Caucasians. Approximately 55.1% were married and 60.2% had an annual income less than $30,000. The majority of the sample (72.5%) had at least a high school education. Half of the sample were somewhat functionally impaired (NYHA Class 11) and had an ejection fraction less than 30%. Ninety-three percent of the sample had been diagnosed with HF less than 10 years (mean = 5.05, SD = 3.34). Seventy percent of the sample had 0 to 4 comorbidities, and 17.7% reported that they only had HF and no other diagnoses. In addition, the sample reported mean score of social support at 71.72 (SD = 17.30) indicating good social support. On average, participants reported that they frequently performed self-care in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle: SC-Mt (mean = 69.59, SD = 15.56). They responded quickly and were likely to manage signs and symptoms that occurred: SC-Mn (mean = 61.69, SD = 19.91). Sixty-two percent reported that they recognized signs and symptoms of HF that occurred in the last month. They were very confident they could perform self-care: SC-Sc (mean = 66.11, SD = 17.02). The results showed that the participants' perceived their QOL as good (mean = 49.44, SD = 27.82). On average, participants perceived their physical functioning as fair (mean = 45.38, SD = 22.47), as was their mental-emotional functioning (mean = 53.32, SD = 22.36).Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that better disease-specific QOL was predicted by being less likely to use SC-Mn strategies (β = .325; p = 0.003), better SC-Sc (β = -.251; p = 0.012), better NYHA functional class (β = .246; p = 0.008), and less comorbidity (β = .236; p = 0.014) (R 2 = .334; F = 7.269, p = 0.000). Better generic QOL (physical functioning) was predicted by better NYHA functional class (β = -.309; p = 0.001), better SC-Mt (β = .205; p = 0.037), better SC-Se (β = .296; p = 0.003), and being less likely to try SC-Mn strategies (β = -.165; p = 0.000) (R 2 = .361; F = 9.602, p = 0.000). Better generic QOL (mental-emotional functioning) was predicted by better NYHA functional class (β = -.229; p = 0.024) and being male (β = -.204; p = .047) (R 2 = .277; F = 4.548, p = 0.000).Findings suggest that better QOL is associated with being male displaying better NYHA functional class, less co-morbidity, and better performance of self-care activities in order to maintain health (SC-Mt), being less likely to identify and respond quickly to signs and symptoms of HF (SC-Mn), having and confidence in performing of self-care strategies (SC-Se). The findings add to the scientific body of knowledge in self-care.

Hypertension is a preventable and yet major risk factor for early death and morbidity among African Americans. Compared to other women in the US, African American women continue to die earlier and more frequently from preventable and controllable chronic health conditions that are notably due to hypertension and hypertension-related illnesses. While there are multiple factors contributing to the high death rates of African American women, hypertension is one of the most common and modifiable risk factors associated with fatal health outcomes among African American women. The rate of death resulting from hypertension is more than double for African American females compared to white females. Even armed with increased knowledge and awareness, African American women are encountering barriers to controlling their hypertension, which places them at higher risk of becoming sicker and dying earlier than their white counterparts. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the effects of psychosocial stress on the hypertension self-management behaviors. The rationale for the study is supported by findings from a systematic literature review identifying gaps and contributions in the health literature on African American women and hypertension management. Findings underscore a need to continue to examine psychosocial factors as barriers to African American women’s hypertension self-management. Specifically, the study found statistically significant associations between psychosocial stress and depression as it relates to the hypertension self-management of African American women. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the significance of the relationships between psychosocial stress, depression and African American women’s hypertension self-management.