Self-Management Education

CDC-Recommended Programs

The self-management education programs listed below are proven to improve the quality of life of people with arthritis. Health departments receiving CDC Arthritis Program funding can disseminate these recommended programs.

Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP)

ASMP, previously called the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, is an effective self-management education intervention for people with arthritis. Developed by Dr. Kate Lorig of Stanford University, the course helps people learn and practice the different techniques needed to build an individualized self-management program and gain the confidence to carry it out. The 6-week interactive workshop consists of weekly 2-hour sessions guided by two trained instructors, at least one of which has arthritis. This program covers topic such as: techniques to deal with problems associated with arthritis, appropriate exercise, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, nutrition and, how to evaluate new treatments There is a robust science base that demonstrates the positive impacts of participation in ASMP. One year after participation in the program, people continue to report greater confidence in their ability to manage their arthritis, less fatigue, and less depressed mood, anxiety, and frustration or worry about their health. Learn more about the Arthritis Self-Management Program.

 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)

CDSMP is an effective self-management education program for people with chronic health problems. The program specifically addresses arthritis, diabetes, lung and heart disease, but teaches skills useful for managing a variety of chronic diseases. This program was developed at Stanford University. CDSMP workshops are held in community settings and meet 2 1/2 hours per week for 6 weeks. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with a chronic diseases themselves. This program covers topic such as: techniques to deal with problems associated with chronic disease, appropriate exercise, appropriate use of medications, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, nutrition, and, how to evaluate new treatments. Participants who took CDSMP demonstrated significant improvements in exercise, ability to do social and household activities, less depression, fear and frustration or worry about their health, reduction in symptoms like pain, and increased confidence in their ability to manage their condition. Learn more about the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.  Locate a CDSMP program in your area.

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Tomando Control de su Salud
(Spanish Chronic Disease Self-Management Program)

Tomando Control de su Salud is a self-management education program developed for Spanish-speaking people with a variety of chronic health problems. Workshop sessions for this program are held for two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks, in a community setting. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals with a chronic diseases themselves. All workshops are given in Spanish without translators. This program is similar in content and process to the English language version of CDSMP, but Tomando Control de su Salud was developed in Spanish to address the health topics in culturally appropriate manner. Topics covered in the program include: appropriate use of the health care system, how to evaluate new treatments, communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals, healthy eating, appropriate use of medications, techniques to deal with problems, and appropriate exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. Learn more about the Tomando program.

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Programa de Manejo Personal de la Artritis
(Spanish Arthritis Self-Management Program)

Programa de Manejo Personal de la Artritis is an interactive workshop designed specifically for Spanish-speaking people with arthritis. The workshop is delivered in a community setting and is led by two trained Spanish-speaking facilitators, at least one of which has arthritis. The course was developed to be culturally appropriate and is delivered in Spanish without translators. This program addresses both health behaviors and disease-management skills such as; techniques to deal with pain, fatigue; appropriate exercises; use of medication; communicating with friends, family and health care providers; use of the health care system and evaluation of new and alternative treatments. Learn more about this program.

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Promising Programs

Promising programs are appropriate for people with arthritis and have some evidence to document their health benefits, but are still building the infrastructure necessary to support widespread use.  State health departments receiving CDC-Arthritis Program funding can disseminate promising programs along with recommended programs.

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The Arthritis Toolkit

The Arthritis Toolkit provides much of the same information as the Arthritis Self-Management Program in a self-study format that can be mailed to participants. The self-study kit includes the Arthritis Self-Help book, information sheets, 4 exercise CD’s and an illustrated exercise guide. The kit is available in both English and Spanish from Bull Publishing. Learn more about The Arthritis Toolkit.

 

Better Choices Better Health® (CDSMP internet-based)

Better Choices Better Health® (BCBH) is the online version of the internationally recognized Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, developed and tested at the Stanford University Patient Education Center. BCBH is a group workshop using the content from the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) that focuses on chronic disease management skills including decision-making, problem-solving and action-planning. Learn more about this program.

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Better Choices Better Health® for Arthritis (ASMP – Internet Based)

Internet-based interactive group workshop using the content from the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) that focuses on arthritis management skills including decision-making, problem-solving and action-planning. This has also been known as “Healthy Living with Arthritis.” The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) are collaborating to provide the BCBH for Arthritis intervention. Program dissemination is currently in a pilot test phase. Learn more about this program.

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