Chronic Disease Self Management:

The prevalence of chronic illness in the ACT is increasing significantly, as it is nationally and internationally. Self management is a partnership between people with long- term conditions and health professionals to manage treatment regimes, lifestyle issues and the physical, social and emotional adjustment to living with long- term conditions.

ACT Health, Arthritis ACT and SHOUT Inc have been working together to deliver Self Management courses.  ‘Living a Healthy Life with Long-Term Conditions’ is an accredited, evidence based course developed by Kate Lorig of Stanford University, California. The course assists both men and women of all ages living with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, arthritis, back pain or any condition lasting more than 6 months, that has slow changes.

The program was evaluated in a randomized study involving more than 1,000 subjects. It found that participants in the program improved their healthful behaviours ( exercise, cognitive symptom management, coping, and communication with physicians), improved their health status ( self reported health, fatigue, disability, social/role activities, and health distress), and decreased their days in the hospital.

A schedule of  "Living a Healthy Life with Long-Term Conditions" courses has been   developed  in partnership with ACT Health and Arthritis ACT. The courses will be run at various locations and times across Canberra.    A copy of the schedule can be found here.

Living a Healthy Life with Long Term Conditions Brochure

As part of the Self Management program SHOUT produces a Directory of support groups and services in the ACT. This has been achieved with the help of the ACT Citizen Advice Bureau.

Self Help and Support Directory