Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a progressive and debilitating disease with a broad symptom profile, intermittently marked by periods of acute decompensation. CHF patients are encouraged to self-manage their illness, such as adhering to medical regimens and monitoring symptoms, to optimise health outcomes and quality of life. In so doing, patients are asked to collaborate with their health service providers with regard to their care. However, patients generally do not self-manage well, even with specialist support. Moreover, self- management interventions are yet to demonstrate morbidity or mortality benefits. Social network approaches to self-management consider the availability and mobilisation of all resources, beyond those of only the patient and healthcare providers. Used in conjunction with e-health platforms, social network approaches may offer a means by which to optimise self-management programmes of the future.
Samia R Toukhsati - Organization: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Heidelberg
Andrea Driscoll - Organization: Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
David L Hare - Organization: Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Australia
