The nursing experts from two European Union (EU) institutions and two United States (US) institutions and associated networks will reassess traditional approaches to the self-management of chronic ill-health, including palliative care, education and practice standards, across the continuum of patient care, in the age range aged 40 through 100. Research and key policy documents will be examined for their relevance to policy making in the 21st century, particularly to support self-management, empowerment and what the World Health Organization describes as total, active care that impacts directly on an individual's quality of life.