Leader Training

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is a lay-led participant education program offered in communities. Participants are typically adults experiencing chronic health conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes etc.; their family members,
friends and caregivers can also take part. The program provides information and teaches practical skills on managing chronic health problems. The overall goal of this program is to enable participants to build self-confidence to assume a major role maintaining their health and managing their chronic health conditions.

The CDSMP focuses on problems common to individuals suffering from chronic diseases. Coping strategies such as action planning and feedback, behavior modeling, problem-solving techniques, and decision making are applicable to all chronic diseases.

Individuals are taught to control their symptoms through:

Relaxation techniques
Changing their diets
Managing sleep and fatigue
Using medications correctly
Exercise
Communication with health providers

Length/Timeframe of Program

2.5 hours per week over a 6 week period

Recommended Class Size
10-16 people

Desired Outcomes

Increases in healthy behaviors (i.e., exercise and cognitive symptom management techniques, such as relaxation)
Positive changes in health status (less pain, fatigue, and worry; less health distress)
Increased self-efficacy
Better communications with health providers
Fewer visits to physicians and emergency rooms

Training Requirements
Leaders are certified by Master Trainers, after completing a 4-day Leaders training, and have taught at least one workshop. They must facilitate one workshop every 2 years in order to remain certified.