Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Multimorbidity significantly affects patients’ quality of life and poses a growing challenge for healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in ageing populations. Effective self-management is key to improving health outcomes, yet gender plays a crucial role in shaping patients’ e...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01686-1 |
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| author | Laia Llubes-Arrià Erica Briones-Vozmediano José Tomás Mateos Joaquim Sol-Cullere Montserrat Gea-Sánchez Esther Rubinat-Arnaldo |
| author_facet | Laia Llubes-Arrià Erica Briones-Vozmediano José Tomás Mateos Joaquim Sol-Cullere Montserrat Gea-Sánchez Esther Rubinat-Arnaldo |
| author_sort | Laia Llubes-Arrià |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Multimorbidity significantly affects patients’ quality of life and poses a growing challenge for healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in ageing populations. Effective self-management is key to improving health outcomes, yet gender plays a crucial role in shaping patients’ experiences and approaches to managing chronic conditions. This study aimed to explore gender differences in self-management among individuals living with multiple chronic diseases. Methods We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 43 patients, purposively sampled to capture variation in age, socioeconomic background, and healthcare setting. Interviews explored experiences of self-management among both women and men, and data were analysed thematically to identify patterns across narratives. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data, and findings were interpreted in alignment with the domains of the Patient Activation Measure-13 (PAM-13). Results Six main themes emerged: personal responsibility, health literacy, self-management and decision-making, communication with healthcare professionals, adherence and treatment monitoring, prevention of complications, and lifestyle modifications. Importantly, gender differences significantly shaped patients’ engagement with self-management across all thematic areas. Women generally demonstrated a more proactive approach, while men were more likely to depend on external support. Conclusions This study highlights distinct gendered approaches to chronic illness management. Women tended to actively engage in self-care and frequently took on informal caregiving responsibilities, pointing to the need for interventions that support shared decision-making and alleviate caregiver burden. In contrast, men were generally more reliant on others and less inclined to seek help, emphasizing the importance of fostering autonomy, enhancing health literacy, and encouraging early engagement with healthcare services. These findings underscore the value of gender-sensitive, patient-centred approaches in chronic disease management to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e479b9662f184c17841b7ba9dbec8e24 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e479b9662f184c17841b7ba9dbec8e242025-08-20T03:45:47ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582025-07-0183111210.1186/s13690-025-01686-1Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative studyLaia Llubes-Arrià0Erica Briones-Vozmediano1José Tomás Mateos2Joaquim Sol-Cullere3Montserrat Gea-Sánchez4Esther Rubinat-Arnaldo5Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care, Lleida Research Support Unit (USR), Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca en Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAP JGol)Health Care Research Group (GRECS), Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida)Health Care Research Group (GRECS), Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida)Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care, Lleida Research Support Unit (USR), Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca en Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAP JGol)Health Care Research Group (GRECS), Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida)Health Care Research Group (GRECS), Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida)Abstract Background Multimorbidity significantly affects patients’ quality of life and poses a growing challenge for healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in ageing populations. Effective self-management is key to improving health outcomes, yet gender plays a crucial role in shaping patients’ experiences and approaches to managing chronic conditions. This study aimed to explore gender differences in self-management among individuals living with multiple chronic diseases. Methods We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 43 patients, purposively sampled to capture variation in age, socioeconomic background, and healthcare setting. Interviews explored experiences of self-management among both women and men, and data were analysed thematically to identify patterns across narratives. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data, and findings were interpreted in alignment with the domains of the Patient Activation Measure-13 (PAM-13). Results Six main themes emerged: personal responsibility, health literacy, self-management and decision-making, communication with healthcare professionals, adherence and treatment monitoring, prevention of complications, and lifestyle modifications. Importantly, gender differences significantly shaped patients’ engagement with self-management across all thematic areas. Women generally demonstrated a more proactive approach, while men were more likely to depend on external support. Conclusions This study highlights distinct gendered approaches to chronic illness management. Women tended to actively engage in self-care and frequently took on informal caregiving responsibilities, pointing to the need for interventions that support shared decision-making and alleviate caregiver burden. In contrast, men were generally more reliant on others and less inclined to seek help, emphasizing the importance of fostering autonomy, enhancing health literacy, and encouraging early engagement with healthcare services. These findings underscore the value of gender-sensitive, patient-centred approaches in chronic disease management to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01686-1GenderSelf-ManagementQualitativeMultimorbidityPatient activation |
| spellingShingle | Laia Llubes-Arrià Erica Briones-Vozmediano José Tomás Mateos Joaquim Sol-Cullere Montserrat Gea-Sánchez Esther Rubinat-Arnaldo Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study Archives of Public Health Gender Self-Management Qualitative Multimorbidity Patient activation |
| title | Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Gender differences in self-management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | gender differences in self management activation among patients with multiple chronic diseases a qualitative study |
| topic | Gender Self-Management Qualitative Multimorbidity Patient activation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01686-1 |
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