University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Self Management Science Center
Self-management and the impact of self-management on quality of life are critically important topics in the United States.  There is growing consensus that self-management activities are one of the most significant influences on the health status of Americans. The principles that guide self- management practices apply across the lifespan, suggesting the need to engage individuals of all ages in the management of acute and chronic disease.  The purpose of the NIH-Funded Self Management Science Center (SMSC) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing (CON) is to expand programs of research aimed at enhancing the science of self-management in individuals and families.

 

The National Institute for Nursing Research is funding the College of Nursing’s Self-Management Science Center as an exploratory research center for five years. The center, which was funded in the fall of 2007, has been researching, developing and testing self-management interventions for chronic conditions that affect individuals and families.

The specific aims of the SMSC are to conduct studies to advance the science of self-management; develop expertise of SMSC researchers in the areas of intervention development & testing; enhance capacity for interdisciplinary synergy and partnerships with colleagues studying self-management within & outside the university; and strengthen CON research infrastructure to support researchers in development, implementation, & evaluation of self-management interventions.

Karen Marek, associate professor of nursing and director of the new center, notes that managing chronic conditions is challenging because people are complex. “You can’t just give them information and set them loose,” she explains. “You have to help them change behaviors.”

Currently funded projects include:

• Patient-Centered Intervention to Improve Symptom Management in Older Heart Failure Patients.
  Dr. Sandra Plach's eight-week intervention is aimed at optimizing symptom management in this vulnerable population. Empirical work such as that proposed in this pilot project is greatly needed to advance our understanding of self management in heart failure via telephone interventions, the impact on self management on patient quality of life, and the impact of self management on health care utilization.
  
• Experiences of Persons Living With Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Using a web-based data collection strategy, Dr. Beth Rodgers is collecting in-depth qualitative data in order to develop a future intervention. Multiple treatment options are available, but adherence to many of these treatments is less than optimal, and adoption of healthy sleep behaviors and weight loss as treatment options are poorly understood. Thus, there is a significant need for research on self management practices related to OSA.
  
• Self-Management of Postpartum Fatigue in Poor Urban Women.  The focus of this project, to work toward a self-management intervention for postpartum fatigue, is highly significant. Dr. Jennifer Runquist is investigating fragmentation, anemia, sleep deprivation, and the impact of prior depression. Both fatigue and depression severely impair mothers’ and children’s health, and this is particularly of concern in low-income populations. The study will further knowledge of this common problem and help to address health disparities.
  
• Family Caregiver Self-Management of the Unmet Needs of Persons with Dementia. Dr. Sarah Morgan is conducting this community-based intervention aimed at improving the health of caregivers and their patients. Little is known about the best way to promote effective care giving and self-management in community dwelling families in which one or more family member has moderate to severe dementia. The intervention that will be developed and subjected to preliminary evaluation in this project has the potential for reducing caregiver stress and improving self-management in these families.

In addition to its support of five principal projects, SMSC offers resources & opportunities to other CON self-management researchers. The center helps the College of Nursing build on already funded research involving self-care management, as well as explores new areas relevant to self-care. The center also encourages research collaboration with other schools and colleges at UWM and other institutions, offering workshops and seminars.

 

Rachel Schiffman the associate dean for research explained, “With more than 25 million Americans striving to manage one or more chronic health conditions, effective self-management is vital to positive health outcomes.”