Completed Projects Comparisons of Outcomes

Comparisons of the Outcomes of the Arthritis Self Help Course (ASHC) and the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP) Among People with Arthritis

Funding Number

MM-0512-03/03 (UIC)

Project Description

The arthritis-specific Arthritis Self-Help Course (ASHC) and the more generic Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) teach generalizable skills for managing arthritis and other chronic diseases. In some locations it may be more feasible to combine efforts and offer the generic course rather than the arthritis-specific program. However anecdotal evidence has questioned whether people with arthritis obtain as much benefit from the more generic course as they do the arthritis-specific course. The primary purpose of these two research studies is to compare health outcomes among people with arthritis who participate in either ASHC or the CDSMP. The University of Illinois Project is emphasizing recruiting a balance of urban and rural participants. The results of these two research projects will be used to guide arthritis program recommendations on the use of ASHC and CDSMP to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis.

Key Objectives

• Compare the effectiveness of ASHC and CDSMP for people with arthritis by examining effects on health status, self management attitudes and behaviors, and health care utilization.
• Document the acceptability of ASHC and CDSMP within community settings.
• Examine differences in outcomes and acceptability among rural and urban participants and among African American and Caucasian participants.

Key Findings

Investigator has reported no findings.

Abstracts, Publications, Presentations

None at this time

Principal Investigator

Mary Brown M.D., M.P.H.
University of Illinois Medical School—Rockford Campus
mbrown@uic.edu

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