Asthma self-management: What do we really mean?

The term "self-management" is sometimes perceived by sociologists and consumers as a code word for adherence or compliance with the health care regimen. Their criticisms are often couched in terms of putting the "self" back into self-management, whereas the emphasis from clinicians' perspectives is putting the "managing" back into self-management to produce adherence. This is, in part, the legacy of both the negation of patient voices in the medical discourse and the demonisation of clinicians in the sociological n explanatory model. An examination of the literature implies a shift to acceptance of the doctor/patient partnership based on acceptance of patient knowledge and expertise.