Healthier Living with Chronic Disease(s)

[Guest guest]

I found this information in the AARP magazine this month:

Take Charge of your Healthcare

By A. Fischer, AARP News

Patients with chronic disease need to embrace a self-management plan that dramatically improves their lives. A new chronic-disease self-management workshop developed by Stanford University, Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) http://patienteducation.stanford.edu/.

Chronic diseases are now the leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. Despite the shift, the U.S. health care system is still largely designed to treat patients with acute medical problems. “At no point in medical school are physicians exposed to patients with chronic illness, except for acute episodes leading to hospitalization,†says Micahel Lockshin,

M.D.

Patients with chronic illnesses are among the sickest members of society. A 2009 National Council on Aging (NCOA) survey found that 32 percent of people 44 and over who have one or more chronic illnesses are living in pain, 65 percent are stressed, and 50 percent are depressed.

Here is the info on the internet on-line workshop:

Healthier Living With Ongoing Health Problems(Internet Chronic Disease Self-Management Program)

The Self-Management @ Stanford Healthier Living with Ongoing Health Problems is an online workshop and study given on the Internet. Groups of about 20 people with heart disease, lung disease, or type 2 diabetes participate together. Workshops are facilitated by two trained moderators, one or both of whom are peers with a chronic health condition themselves. Topics covered include: 1) techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation, 2) appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance, 3) appropriate use of medications, 4) communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, 5) healthy eating, and, 6) making informed treatment decisions, 7) disease related problem solving, 8) advanced directives.

It is the process in which the online workshop is presented that makes it unique. Sessions are highly participative through email and online discussion boards, where mutual support and success builds the participants' confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.

Each workshop is 6 weeks with new lessons each week. Participants are asked to log on at their convenience 2-3 times each week for a total of 1-2 hours. There are no requirements that participants log in at the same time. Each participant in the workshop receives a copy of the companion book, Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions, 3rd Edition.*

Does the Program replace existing programs and treatments?

The online workshop will not conflict with existing programs or treatment. It is designed to enhance regular treatment and disease-specific education such as Better Breathers, cardiac rehabilitation, or diabetes education. In addition, many people have more than one chronic condition. The program is especially helpful for these people, as it gives them the skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them keep active in their lives.

How was the Program developed?

Self-Management @ Stanford Healthier Living workshop is the online version of the community-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), which was developed and evaluated during a five-year randomized, controlled research project completed in 1996. Our current online program is funded by the Wood Foundation and the Archstone Foundation.

C_53_Familial IPF_5/09, Washington

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