How to Support Enablement

The approaches and interventions in this guide can support consumer enablement and improve self-management outcomes.

There are a number of ways we can help people become true partners in their own care, working in collaboration with health professionals to understand their health, manage their symptoms and navigate a complex health system.

It is important to consider what approaches are appropriate for each person, based on their individual abilities, circumstances, needs and preferences. Different approaches will be suitable for different people, and this will change as their level of enablement, health and personal circumstances change.

The approaches that support enablement should be used in combination, not as standalone interventions. They may become more or less effective over time, so it is important to observe what is working and tailor the approach to suit the person’s unique combination of determinants and components.

Remember, consumer enablement is not an exact science and requires your clinical judgement, feedback from the consumer, and at times a little creativity.

Approaches and interventions

Communication

Effective communication is a fundamental part of supporting enablement and delivering person-centred care.

Health literacy

Health literacy is how well individuals can access, understand and apply health information, so they can make good decisions about their health.

Culturally responsive practice

When healthcare is culturally responsive, people are more confident and motivated to access health services

Shared decision making

Shared decision making is a process where the clinician and consumer (and their family, partner or carer) make health decisions together.

Health coaching

Health coaching helps people change their behaviour, adopt a healthy lifestyle and self-manage their chronic conditions and medications.

Motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a communication technique that encourages behaviour change in an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.

Care coordination

Care coordination helps consumers, carers and service providers work together to improve health outcomes for those at greatest risk.

Care navigation

Care navigation is usually provided as part of the care coordination process and helps people navigate their way through the health system.

Peer support

Peer support is organised support provided by people with similar health conditions and experiences managing their health.

Patient reported measures

Patient reported measures help people give direct and timely feedback to healthcare providers about what matters to them.

Technology in healthcare

Technology has revolutionised the way we work, changed the way people manage their health and improved access to healthcare services.

Select a level of enablement to view approaches and interventions:

Lower levels

Complex problems and life circumstances.

Significant issues in cognitive capacity, psychological status, physical disability, or incapacity, and family or community support.

Poor access to services, language barriers, different cultural norms, previous negative experiences with health services.

Lower

Higher

Higher levels

Feels in control - can self refer and initiate and prioritise actions.

Highly aware of health state.

Able to self advocate.

What Influences Enablement?

Communication