Pilot project on the promotion of self-care systems in the
European Union, Platform of experts
(September 2014-May 2017)

The PiSCE project includes patient and consumer representatives (EPF and BEUC), professional representatives organizations (CPME, RCPsych, PGEU and EFPC), experts in health education (TNO, Vilans, GÖG) and health literacy and patient empowerment (Maastricht University, ENOPE, Third-I, EMHF, EIWH), pharmaceutical representatives (AESGP), universities (FAD, Masaryk University, Chalmers University, Kosice University and CEREF), policy making (EHFF and Qveritas) and expertise in the field of self-management and translation of knowledge (DCHE).

Self-care, or related concepts such as self-management (mostly used in cases of chronic disease) and patient empowerment, are relevant for both citizens with increased risk for disease, with minor or self-limiting diseases, as well as for people with (one or more) chronic diseases or disabilities.

We consider self-care and self-management as being elements within a continuum and this definition integrates also that focus. The inclusion of ‘prevention of disease’’ extends the reach of self-care from its typical focus on managing LTHC’s (long term health conditions) and disability.