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Self-Manage your arthritis

On this page: Definition of Self-Management | Challenging Arthritis Program | History of Self-Management and Arthritis NSW | A new Australian self-management course

Call us to join a self-management course 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.

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Challenging Arthritis – Internet Self-Management program – available nationally

Challenging ArthritisIn 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.

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An Australian Self-Management course - program development

A new Australian self-management course is being developed. The Program will commence trial courses, one in Albury and one in Eastern Sydney about July 2007. These courses will be evaluated by the The UNSW Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity which is part of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales.

The program will offer people with a chronic illness an opportunity to develop and use self-management skills and make lifestyle choices which help to prevent the progression of the disease and improve their quality of life.

Program Aim
The program aims to facilitate the participants identifying their need and desire for behaviour change, to challenge unhealthy attitudes and behaviours and acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to implement positive changes that promote health and improve their quality of life.

Program Structure
The program will consist of seven ‘core’ or generic sessions. One session held each week including topics such as coping with a chronic illness, healthy eating, physical activity, know your medicines, stress management, working with your health care team, getting a good night's sleep and relaxation. The last session is Putting it all together which will allow participants to make their own choices about what they might want to change to make their lives better when living with a chronic disease.

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