Chronic Disease Self Management
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (often referred to as an Expert Patients Programme) is a self-management education programme for individuals with any long term condition. The programme aims to equip participants with the confidence, skills and motivation to better manage their condition, work more effectively with social and health care professionals and take control of their health, thus improving their quality of life.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (CDSMP) has been developed by a team led by Professor Kate Lorig at the Patient Education Research Centre, Stanford University, California. The programme has been used in Australia, Europe, USA and by a number of patient bodies in the UK. Eligible individuals are identified and recruited onto a six-week course of weekly, 2½ hour sessions.
Each course covers the following topics:
- Dealing with pain and extreme tiredness
- Coping with feelings of depression
- Relaxation techniques and exercise
- Healthy eating
- Communicating with family, friends and professionals
- Planning for the future
Course participants learn how to:
- Build their confidence
- Identify shared experiences with others
- Develop their communication skills
- Manage their emotions and daily activities
- Manage relationships with family, friends, work colleagues, care teams and health care professionals
- Find and use health resources
- Understand the importance of exercise and healthy eating
- Manage fatigue, sleep, pain, anger and depression
For a list of Chronic Disease Self Management Programmes for people with Long Term Conditions, please click here