Considering the MAN in the self-MANagement support of long term conditions

Time: 12-1pm

WATCH RECORDING

“Just having these talks is not doing a lot of good” – considering the MAN in the self-MANagement support of long term conditions

Improving the treatment and management of long term health conditions is currently one of the most significant health issues across the developed world, and has been described as the healthcare equivalent to climate change. It is predicted that by 2020, long term health conditions will be the main cause of death and disability globally, accounting for 73% of all deaths and 60% of the global burden.

In order to ensure that health services remain sustainable in the future whilst still delivering positive patient outcomes, empowering and supporting the increasing number of people living with long term conditions to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence to ‘self-manage’ their own health has become a key strategy. A wide range of self-management support programmes and initiatives have been developed to achieve this goal, but we know that the goals of self-management support interventions do not always easily map onto the goals and priorities of patients. In particular, men are considerably under-represented in self-management support programmes despite their increased likelihood of developing the more common and disabling long term conditions such as chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

In this seminar, I will present evidence to suggest that explanations for men’s poorer engagement with self-management support interventions are linked to traditional masculine norms that emphasise self-reliance, physical strength and emotional stoicism. I will discuss how and why seeking and accepting support to help manage a long term condition can be problematic for many men, and explore what may act as facilitators and barriers to the uptake of interventions and support activities. The presentation will point toward some key considerations and evidence-based ‘top tips’ for ensuring that self-management support programmes and activities are as accessible and acceptable as possible for male participants.

Bio: Paul was an Asst. Professor at UBC School of Nursing from 2006 – 2010. He is currently a Reader in Nursing (Assoc. Professor) in the Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK. Since returning to the UK he has continued to develop a programme of research investigating men’s help-seeking and engagement with health services in a variety of issues including depression, perinatal mental health, and chronic illness. His current research focuses on identifying ways to integrate understandings of masculinity into the design and delivery of health and support services in order to make them more effective, accessible and acceptable to men who live with long term conditions. 

Paul lives in York with his wife, Lorna, and two children, Livia and Stanley. He remains a committed Canadaphile.