This study explores the practice of self-management in Chinese people with
schizophrenia and their caregivers. Twenty-one patients and 14 caregivers
were interviewed. Four themes were identified, reflecting the practice of
self-management from both the patients’ and caregivers’ perspective:
managing medication, monitoring and dealing with symptoms, maintaining
social relations, and seeking health information and maintaining medical appointments.
In general, self-management practices among Chinese people
with schizophrenia were not optimal. This study highlights the importance
of developing and implementing family-based self-management programs
for Chinese people with schizophrenia and their family in order to enhance
their self-management abilities and improve care outcomes.
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