Operational definition of self-care interventions for adults with chronic illness [Editorial]

Abstract

[Extract] The World Health Organization (WHO) defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider (World Health Organization, 2021). Self-care is especially crucial when someone has a chronic illness. In this context, the middle-range theory of self-care in chronic illness defines self-care as a process of maintaining health through health promoting practices and illness management (Riegel et al., 2012). This definition is consistent with the WHO definition while emphasizing those elements of self-care that are important in chronic illness. Recognition of the importance of self-care has generated numerous studies of self-care interventions worldwide. Yet, the definition of what constitutes a self-care intervention remains unclear