 If you are interested in enrolling in a
self-management course for your arthritis
or chronic illness, please phone 1800 011
041 for further information.
Definition of Self-Management
In September 2005 An International Conference
on Patient Self-management was held in
Canada and a conference definition of self-management
was included in a paper written by Patrick
McGowan. It said:
“Self-management relates to the
tasks that an individual must undertake
to live well with one or more chronic conditions.
These tasks include gaining confidence
to deal with medical management, role management
and emotional management.”
In November 2006 The Chronic Illness Alliance
of NSW conducted a round table to commence
compiling a position paper on self-management
on behalf of their consumers. They produced
a draft definition of self management which
says:
Self-Management is the term given to the
way a person proactively plans and manages
their life and lifestyle to optimise their
health, well being and quality of life
when living with one or more chronic health
conditions.
Self-management is the ability to make
informed choices about treatment and to
change behaviour to improve your health
outcomes and quality of life.
Self-management involves the individual
with the chronic disease:
- adopting a lifestyle that promotes
and protects health,
- understanding the disease(s) and treatment
options,
- being actively involved in decisions
and planning the management of their
disease in partnership with the health
care team,
- monitoring and managing the signs
and symptoms of illness,
- implementing and adhering to their
treatment plan,
- managing the physical, emotional and
social impact of the disease(s) on their
life.
(Flinders Human Behaviour & Health
Research Unit)
Around 1996 the “Lorig” Stanford
University Course of Arthritis Self-Management
became available in NSW through
licenses given to the Arthritis State & Territory
Offices. These offices had Master Trainers
and Trainers skilled by Stanford University,
who led leader training courses for many
organisations, including the State Health
departments and other non government agencies.
Using the leaders trained these organisations
then conducted courses for participants.
The Arthritis “Lorig” course
was followed by the introduction of the
Chronic Disease “Lorig” Course which
was introduced using the same system.
Challenging Arthritis – Internet
Self-Management program – available
nationally
 In 2004 a decision was made by Arthritis
NSW to develop an internet based self-management
program, primarily designd to assist people
in rural and regional areas. A
gap had been identified that many people
were
unable
to access
a six week course because of geographical
considerations and that men were not attending
the courses on a regular basis.
The program is available on www.challengingarthritis.org
It has four modules: Coping with Arthritis,
Managing pain, Exercise, Stress management
and Relaxation. There is a brochure with
a summary of the program available.
You
do not need a computer! For
your printed copy of the Challenging
Arthritis program,
phone
1800 332 131
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History of Self-Management and Arthritis
NSW
Arthritis NSW has been involved in conducting
Self-Management courses since the Arthritis
Education Program was developed by the
AFNSW Education Committee over 3 years
from 1981-1983. A number of key health
professionals from Royal North Shore Hospital
were on this committee. A pharmaceutical
company (Ciba-Geigy) became involved as
a sponsor in 1985 and produced and printed
the first Leaders Manual & Participants
Handbook in 1986. They also arranged the
first training workshop at a hotel at St
Leonards (near RNSH). This program was
evaluated.
There were minor revisions made to the
course in 1987 and then in 1988 further
major revisions were made. In 1992 another
major
revision
was completed by Judy Stenmark, senior
educator at that time.
Moving On: A self-management program for people with a chronic illness
Moving On is a chronic disease self-management program developed by Arthritis NSW in partnership with the National Prescribing Service. The program aims to help participants manage their chronic illness by challenging unhealthy behaviours and attitudes as well as providing the knowledge and skills they need to create positive changes in their lives. Although it has been developed by us here at Arthritis NSW it is for anyone with any type of chronic condition. Around half of all people with arthritis will also have another chronic condition, while a large percentage of people with other chronic conditions also have arthritis1. This indicated to us that a program that was for all types of chronic conditions was needed.
Moving On is a group-based program with a focus on the individuals within that group. The program runs for around three hours once a week for seven weeks and includes 11 different modules that have either been written or reviewed by expert partners. Some of the modules include:
- Getting the Most Out of Your Medicines
- Working with Your Health Care Team
- Healthy Eating
- Physical Activity.
The program is currently being evaluated by the University of New South Wales’ Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity. This evaluation is being conducted in a small number of Local Government Areas in the Sydney Metropolitan Area and should be completed in late 2010.
If you would like more information or to learn how to become involved in the research study please call 1800 332 131 or email movingon@arthritisnsw.org.au
1.Caughey, G.E., Vitry, A.I., Gilbert, A.L., Roughead, E.E. Prevalence of comorbidity of chronic diseases in Australia. BMC Public Health 2008, 8:221
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