| What is Self-Management? |
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Self-management is about using simple skills to take control of the way you think and feel about your health condition and how you cope in everyday life.
Self-management of chronic illness means that you take responsibility for making decisions and taking actions that will help you to manage your illness effectively.
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“The course was a wake-up call,
because I became aware
that I should take control of my condition
and not rely so much on medication.”
Siobhán |
Among important skills of self-management that you will learn are
- managing pain, fatigue, medication
- using strategies such as diet, exercise, stress reduction.
The self-management skills you develop help you in
- maintaining and improving your own well-being
- gaining greater independence and confidence in dealing with the physical and emotional challenges of a long-term illness.
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In self-management, you and your doctor are partners in care. Your doctor can provide valuable advice and information to help you deal with your illness. You gain in confidence to tell your doctor about your own situation and what works best for you.
Self Management skills can help prevent long term problems, and help you to feel better and lead a more productive life.
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| What Will You Learn? |
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The emphasis is on learning what you can do for yourself and how to make the most of the information you get from your health professionals.
On the course you will have the opportunity to set simple action plans so that you can manage your own condition more effectively. You can design your action plan to fit your own needs and lifestyle. |
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I found the problem solving so helpful.
I have started to read again,
go swimming,
go for short walks daily,
drink fruit juice instead of coffee once or twice a day,
face my doctor and
ask for a referral if he cannot help me"
Margaret |
The course enables you to :
- Use techniques to reduce stress and tension
- Take adequate physical activity
- Maintain healthy eating habits
- Improve communication with health care professionals and your family
- Improve mobility and activity
- Improve life control and life satisfaction
- Manage the distress, depression and other feelings that may come when living with chronic illness
- Look forward and plan for the future
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In self-management, you and your doctor are partners in care. Your doctor can provide valuable advice and information to help you deal with your illness. You gain in confidence to tell your doctor about your own situation and what works best for you.
Self Management skills can help prevent long term problems, and help you to feel better and lead a more productive life.
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| Who is the Course for? |
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People living with all long term conditions including:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinsons
- Effects of head injuries
- Mental health challenges
- Coronary heart disease or vascular disease
- Chronic pain
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Asthmn or respiratory disease
- Living with cancer
- Arthritis
- ME/Chronic fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Aids /HIV
- Depression,anxiety or panic attack
- Or any other long-term condition
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This course has really turned me around and helped me to be a better person.
I am able to exercise more
and use the tools I learned on the course
to cope better with my illness."
Patrick |
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| Who Delivers the Course? |
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A central concept in this project is to use patients' own experience and wisdom (that's why we call the programme PatientWise !) in understanding and teaching ways of self-managing your condition and the life-changing consequences it brings to you and your family.
So, the CEART PatientWise tutors are themselves persons with chronic health conditions. All are trained in the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme, under the supervision and support of our Master Trainers, who have themselves been trained at Stanford University in California. |
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"people spoke about
finally being able to explain to their family and friends
how they really felt,
about finding a safe place
in which to talk and sometimes cry
and about the huge value of talking
to other people who truly understood
what it was like to live with a long-term illness" |
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Does the course fit in with your medical care ? |
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The programme works alongside current medical healthcare, but not to replace it.
The information given is not disease specific but addresses concerns and difficulties common to people with long-term health problems. |
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“The course was a wake-up call,
because I became aware
that I should take control of my condition
and not rely so much on medication.”
Siobhán |
You will learn about how to manage negative effects of living with your condition and how to keep active.
Facilitators do not give advice and always recommend that specific queries be taken back to health professionals.
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| How Does the Programme Work? |
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The course is delivered in six weekly 2 ½ hour sessions, including breaks and a snack. Each class has 10-15 participants. It is organised and facilitated by trained tutors who are themselves living with a long-term condition.
The sessions are interactive, with lots of opportunity for discussion and group problem-solving. Each session is carefully structured and is delivered in a supportive environment. |
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“I learned that there is so much
you can do for yourself
and it gave me great confidence.
Seeing other people managing
to overcome frustration and problems
helps me believe that I can do it too.”
Maura |
The course builds confidence around managing health, staying active, and enjoying life. It is designed to be friendly, informative and easy to follow.
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| Is There a Charge for the Course? |
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Cost of the course to private individuals is at a concession rate of €60*. This includes all six sessions and snacks. Participants also receive the 380 page reference manual 'Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions’.
(*This is a subsidised rate for individuals. The full rate of 120 euro will be charged to organisations and statutory bodies. Courses for specific organisations may involve additional travel and accommodation expenses)
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"Deep down all of us with a long term condition
know that, despite all the support from family
and medical personnel and outside agencies,
we are alone in the daily struggle
for a cheerful and meaningful quality of life.
This is what the programme for Self Management provides-
it enables us to dig deep to our inner core
and find our hidden strengths.
As the ad says – priceless."
Carmel |
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