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OBJECTIVE: To identify whether community-based Self-Management Programs (SMPs) actively engaged, or taught, individuals patient-oriented strategies; and whether having these attributes led to significant differences in outcomes.

METHODS: This systematic review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs)and cluster RCTs reporting on community-based SMPs with a group component for older adults with chronic conditions. The ways SMPS actively engaged participants and whether they taught patient-oriented strategies were analyzed. All study outcomes were reported.

RESULTS: The 31 included studies demonstrated community-based SMP programs actively engaged participants and provided strategies to improve health behaviour or care of their condition. Few included strategies to help manage the impact of conditions on their everyday lives. Seventy-nine percent of studies reported significant differences; variations in sample sizes and outcomes made it difficult to conclude whether having these attributes led to significant differences.

CONCLUSION: SMPs are not supporting older adults to use strategies to address the impact of conditions on their everyday lives, addressing the needs of older adults with multiple conditions, nor assessing outcomes that align with the strategies taught.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health-care providers delivering SMPs to older adults need to tailor programs to the needs of older adults and assess whether participants are using strategies being proposed.