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11. February 2021

OptiMedium February 2021

In this issue you read amongst other topics about the new reference centre Self-Management Europe we established together with our partners NIVEL, Avedis Donabedian Institute and the European Patient Forum, about our new integrated care region "Healthy Schwalm-Eder District+" and about the new standards for health promotion from the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals & Health Services.


Self-Management Europe – A new initiative to support patients

Self-ManagementThe new research and innovation centre will bring together research findings on self-management and self-determination and put them into practice. Photo: istock I Morsa ImagesResearch partners set up a new European Research and Innovation Centre on Patient Empowerment and Self-Management: Self-Management Europe. Self-Management Europe will be a spin-off the EU funded research collaboration COMPAR-EU project.

The centre aims to develop the potential of people, professionals, organizations, systems, and communities for creating a society that strengthens empowerment and self-management in people with chronic diseases. Through capacity building, the centre will provide knowledge, skills, motivation and competency to people to act as leaders of self-management and empowerment enhancement in everyday life to improve health and quality of life for all.

The Centre is a Joint Venture initiative formed by a multidisciplinary team led by the Avedis Donabedian Research Institute (FAD), the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), and, Optimedis and working in collaboration with its affiliate members: The Institute for Medical Technology Assessment (iMTA), the Netherlands, iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Fundacio privada institut de recerca de L’hospital de la Santa creu i Sant pau (Spain), University of Ioannina (UOI), Greece, and European Patient Forum as endorsement organisation.

The motivation for Self-Management Europe

Whilst there are various ongoing initiatives in Europe to support self-care and self-management, the centre will address a critical gap: the translation of research findings into routine clinical practice. Through our expertise in translational research, implementation science and innovation management the partners are well positioned to address this gap.

Dr Carola Orrego from the Avedis Donabedian Research Institute and COMPAR-EU project coordinator states: “Our mission is to help stakeholder’s decision-making by providing, creating and disseminating new and innovative knowledge for better self-management and patient empowerment with a special emphasis on chronic conditions.” Dr Monique Heymans at Nivel adds: “The amount, and quality of research on supporting patients to take an active role in their care is increasing. We need a stronger focus on translating this research into new initiatives and implementation projects”. Dr Oliver Groene, Vice-Chairman of the Board at OptiMedis argues: “Self-management needs to take a much stronger role in practice. We will seek innovative ways to integrate research evidence in emerging technologies and overcome current barriers to self-management.”

Self-Management Europe seeks to establish collaborations with research and health care industry partners to accelerate the implementation of evidence-based practice interventions. Likeminded individuals and organizations are welcome to contribute to this endeavour.

Further information under http://www.self-management.eu/researchcentre