Most of the studies proved that effective self-care of patients depends on continuing systematic support of patients to improve their knowledge, skills, and confidence of self-care. With regard to the importance of self-care support system, the design of a pattern for it in Iran was placed on the agenda through the ministry of health and medical education (MOHME) project. The aim of this article is to develop a pattern through two steps; the first is critically analyzing the literature on the structure and functions of self-care support system, and the second is to summarize potential factors which can be used as self-care support system components in health system to synthesize the pattern.

Systematic literature searches of papers published between 2002 - 2014 were carried out using the electronic databases. Critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) was then undertaken to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic for developing the national pattern. Finally, scrutinizing the pattern was done through focus group discussion of experts in MOHME.

We found the steps of designing a system for self-care support. Then, we set the goals and strategies of self-care support program and factors affecting the choice of self-care support pattern. Then, series of interventions were selected as self-care program pattern by a team of health care providers from all levels of the health system. Components of self-care support system in the country based on their interactions with patients and place of the program in the health care system were categorized in a matrix.

To empower the staff of self-care support system, an appropriate training design is needed beside a good self-care support program. Self-care team members must teach specific information or skills to patients and their families. These members must possess special knowledge and skills. Also, the evaluation of self-care support program is one of the main components of the national system of self-care.