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OBJECTIVE: To extend our understanding of self-management by using original data and a recent concept analysis to propose a unifying framework for self-management strategies.

METHODS: Longitudinal interview data with 117 people with neurological conditions were used to test a preliminary framework derived from the literature. Statements from the interviews were sorted according to the predefined categories of the preliminary framework to investigate the fit between the framework and the qualitative data. Data on frequencies of strategies complemented the qualitative analysis.

RESULTS: The Taxonomy of Every Day Self-management Strategies (TEDSS) Framework includes five Goal-oriented Domains (Internal, Social Interaction, Activities, Health Behaviour and Disease Controlling), and two additional Support-oriented Domains (Process and Resource). The Support-oriented Domain strategies (such as information seeking and health navigation) are not, in and of themselves, goal focused. Instead, they underlie and support the Goal-oriented Domain strategies. Together, the seven domains create a comprehensive and unified framework for understanding how people with neurological conditions self-manage all aspects of everyday life.

CONCLUSIONS: The resulting TEDSS Framework provides a taxonomy that has potential to resolve conceptual confusion within the field of self-management science.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The TEDSS Framework may help to guide health service delivery and research.