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New program addresses chronic disease"L iving healthy with a chronic condition" might sound like an oxymoron, but it's not. It's the name of a new Strong Health program that teaches people how to self-manage their chronic conditions and maintain healthier, more active, and fulfilling lives. It's taught by volunteers who themselves have a chronic condition and have been trained to lead the workshop.Based on a program developed by Stanford University, the six-week peer-led workshop is structured around the belief that patients with different chronic diseases face similar challenges, and that they can learn from each other's experiences. The program also is banking on the principle that confident, knowledgeable patients practicing self-management will experience improved health and will need fewer health care resources. "Chronic disease has emerged as the largest threat to health status and the largest cause of health care expenditures--almost 70 percent," said Polly Street, director of Strong Health Care Management. "The benefit of self-management goes beyond the potential of substantial health care cost savings--it can actually improve health." The patients who participated in the program--compared with those who did not--increased their level of weekly exercise, improved communication with their physicians, and reported feeling less fatigued, less pain, and were more socially active. They also had fewer hospitalizations and days in the hospital and showed a trend toward fewer outpatient visits. According to the study report--completed in 1996--many of these results last for as long as three years. Anyone with a chronic health condition--such as heart problems, back problems, lung illness, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or arthritis--can attend. The workshop also welcomes caregivers. The topics covered in "Living Healthy with a Chronic Condition" include exercise; healthy eating; fatigue management; use of medications; dealing with emotions; communication with others, including health professionals; and problem-solving. The instructors are taught to follow a specific protocol. In addition to teaching the class, they facilitate discussions that help participants make self-managing choices, reach treatment goals, and share their own ideas for managing chronic conditions.
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