Self-Management Education Workshops

Recognized Programs

The self-management education workshops listed below are proven to improve the quality of life of adults with arthritis. State and national partners receiving CDC funding can disseminate these recognized programs.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)

CDSMP is an effective self-management education workshop for people with chronic health problems including arthritis, diabetes, lung and heart disease. This program covers topics 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  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.

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 chronic health problems. Tomando Control de su Salud was developed to address the health content and topics in a 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.

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 and national partners receiving CDC’s funding can disseminate promising programs along with recognized programs.

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 that focuses on chronic disease management skills including decision-making, problem-solving and action-planning.

Better Choices, Better Health® for Arthritis (ASMP internet-based)

Better Choices, Better Health® for Arthritis is an 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 workshop has also been known as “Healthy Living with Arthritis.”

Tool Kit for Active Living with Chronic Conditions (Mailed CDSMP)

The Tool Kit for Active Living (mailed CDSMP) is an individual self-management program. It is form of CDSMP that is mailed to the participant’s house. It includes activities to increase confidence and well-being and teach disease management skills. The tool kit is available in English and Spanish.

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Programs with Limited Distribution

Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP)

ASMP, previously called the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Program, is an effective self-management education intervention workshop for people with arthritis. Developed by Dr. Kate Lorig of Stanford University, the workshop helps people learn and practice the different techniques needed to build an individualized self-management program and gain the confidence to carry it out.

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 whom has arthritis. The course was developed to be culturally appropriate and is delivered in Spanish without English translation. This program addresses both health behaviors and disease-management skills.

The Arthritis Tool Kit

The Arthritis Tool Kit provides much of the same information as the Arthritis Self-Management Program in a self-study format that can be mailed to participants.

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