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Programs Primary Care Integration - ABHI Chronic Disease Self Management
Programs Primary Care Integration - ABHI Chronic Disease Self Management
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The Riverina Division of General Practice & Primary Health has had a long commitment to promoting and supporting chronic disease self management. What is chronic disease self management Self management is what the person with a chronic disease does to actively manage their condition. It involves:
What is self management support? Self management support is what health care practitioners provide to assist the person with their self management practices. It is not just an intervention but an entire approach to how a clinician works in partnership with people with chronic diseases. With an integrated healthcare system, different agencies can share the roles and responsibilities for self management support and also support each other in maintaining skills in self management strategies. One agency does not need to provide all options of self management support but needs to:
(Information from Flinders Human Behaviour & Health Research Unit, Flinders University and Fact Sheets developed by the Department of Human Services, Victoria).
Self management training initiatives In 2007, the Riverina Division of General Practice & Primary Health trained 11 Practice Nurses in the Flinders Chronic Disease Self Management program. In 2008, in conjunction with the Murrumbidgee General Practice Network, 14 Health Professionals, including 8 Practice Nurses completed a two day intensive training course in Health Coaching provided by Health Coaching Australia. This training was funded through the Australian Better Health Initiative Primary Care Integration Program. Overall, the response was very positive and evaluations showed that there was an increase in confidence in self management support skills. 100% of the participants indicated that they would recommend the course to their colleagues. Some of the participant comments were: ‘I was very frustrated in my role not knowing how to approach my patients in a way that was productive and effective. I was getting very overwhelmed with processes that seemed to be going nowhere and producing little results. I am very excited about these skills and am more confident about my ability to motivate and empower my patients. ’(Practice nurse participant, Leeton, October 2008) ‘My interview method prior to completion of this course was ad hoc without giving the patient room to manage their own health. By attending this course I will enable them to self-manage through decision making their own health with a more positive outcome.’(Participant, Leeton October 2008) A second Health Coaching course was held at the Division on the 28th & 29th May 2009 with 24 participants, including 15 practice nurses. Once again, 100% of the participants indicated that they would recommend the course to their colleagues and found that the content was both relevant and useful for their current work. Some of the participant comments were: “Health coaching is a vital part of my ‘toolbox’ now. Very relevant when considering current paradigm shifts in health.” “I feel I now have a better way of approaching my clients who would like to change something. I feel inspired to take these skills and knowledge back to my work and ultimately see better patient outcomes”.“It was very enlightening to learn a different approach to assisting clients to improve their health (chronic disease) using the Health Coaching method. Will definitely try to implement some of the strategies learnt during the workshop in my consultations with clients at the surgery and hopefully show the benefits of its use for our GP’s at work and also consult with the other Practice Nurses there.”  |
| Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 August 2009 09:53 ) |