This article is part of the Arthritis Archives.
Dateline: June 10, 2002
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), developed at the Stanford University Patient Education Research Center with funding from The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has been found to prevent, delay, and impede disability in patients with arthritis and other chronic diseases.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program is a 17-hour course (classes are held once a week for 7 weeks) taught by trained lay people. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program focuses on teaching patients with chronic disease how to:
- Better manage their symptoms
- Adhere to medication regimens
- Maintain functional ability
The goal of the course is for health education and appropriate lifestyle changes to reduce the negative impact of chronic disease.
Study Results
Study results have revealed that over a 2-year period, program participants improved in various health-related conditions including:
- More energy
- Less fatigue
- Reduced health stress
- Fewer visits to physicians and emergency rooms
The noted improvements translated into a financial savings of between $390 and $520 per patient over the 2-year study period, after the cost of the program (ranging from $70 to $200) was deducted, since participants used fewer health care services.
The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, taught in senior centers, churches, libraries, and hospitals, has been deemed successful and implemented nationally and internationally.
More Information About The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
More information on the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and results of other AHRQ-funded research on disability is available in a publication "Research in Action: Preventing Disability in the Elderly with Chronic Disease".
Related Resources
Source: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Can Help Prevent or Delay Disability, NEWSWISE, June 7, 2002
First published: 06/10/2002
