ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In people who have chronic diseases, disabilities, and rehabilitation needs, self-management education can improve health and health-related behavior, and it can reduce the utilization of healthcare services. The purpose of this research was to assess the long-term effects of chronic-disease self-management education in Japan. METHODS: This study included 184 adults living with various chronic medical conditions who participated in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in Japan. Data were collected before the program began, and then collected 3 more times over 1 year. RESULTS: Healthcare-service utilization was low at baseline, and it did not change. Self-evaluated health status, health-related distress, coping with symptoms, communication with doctors, and self-efficacy to manage symptoms all improved after the program. However, there was backsliding in all of the outcomes that had improved. CONCLUSION: Some benefits of this program can last for at least 1 year, but interventions to prevent attenuation may be needed. For economic evaluations, research should focus on populations with higher baseline levels healthcare-service utilization, including use of rehabilitation services. Also, more attention should be focused on the longer-term decay or persistence of the program's benefits, particularly regarding on preventing and reducing disabilities and with regard to rehabilitation needs.