• Stephen Hughes, Sophie Lewis, Karen Willis, Anne Rogers, Sally Wyke, and Lorraine Smith.
• Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: stephen.hughes@sydney.edu.au.
• Patient Educ Couns. 2017 Dec 1; 100 (12): 2244-2254.

ObjectiveOur aim was to systematically review the qualitative literature about the experiences of both facilitators and participants in a range of group-based programmes to support the self-management of long-term conditions.MethodsWe searched 7 databases using the terms 'self-management', 'group' and 'qualitative'. Full text articles meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved for review. A thematic synthesis approach was used to analyse the studies.Results2126 articles were identified and 24 were included for review. Group participants valued being with similar others and perceived peer support benefits. Facilitators (HCP and lay) had limited group specific training, were uncertain of purpose and prioritised education and medical conformity over supportive group processes and the promotion of self-management agency and engagement. Overall, studies prioritised positive descriptions.ConclusionGroup programmes' medical self-management focus may reduce their ability to contribute to patient-valued outcomes. Further research is needed to explore this disconnect.Practice ImplicationsThis review supports broadening the scope of group-based programmes to foreground shared learning, social support and development of agency. It is of relevance to developers and facilitators of group self-management programmes and their ability to address the burden of long-term conditions.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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