1. Title of the Change Project
Introducing people with chronic conditions to self-management education
Paula Quinn, MSc in Leadership and Management Development
Title of the Change Project
Student ID.
MSc in Healthcare Management,
Institute of Leadership, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
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Abstract
One of the major challenges facing health services and in particular the Irish health service is the management of chronic disease. Traditionally in Ireland people with chronic disease tended to be managed reactively in acute hospital settings resulting in significant resources and extensive pressure on accident and emergency departments and the secondary care system. The proactive management of chronic disease is a key focus of universal healthcare strategy and more recently of the Irish healthcare system. The Healthy Ireland strategy promotes supporting people to take responsibility for their own health.
This project proposed supporting people with chronic disease, by increasing their knowledge, skills and confidence, by their participation in a six week self-management education programme. Using a licenced course by the Patient Research Centre, Stanford University ensured that the programme was evidence based and tailored made for people regardless of their chronic disease. Healthcare professionals are best placed to promote self-management and this project aimed to support their practice by facilitating referrals on the programme. Putting people in charge of their own health and wellbeing is a paradigm shift for service users and service providers.
The HSE Change Model was used as the methodology for implementing the SMART aims and objectives of the project. The initiation and planning stages concentrated on networking, building relationships and communicating with key stakeholders. The community and voluntary sector in particular proved integral to the success of attracting participants, especially minority groups, who would not normally attend mainstream initiatives. This also provided an opportunity to strengthen links with non-statutory and community and voluntary sector. Participants reported that the course helped motivate them to make positive lifestyle changes. Feedback was positive particularly in relation to the social element of the programme.
The mainstreaming of this project into broader health and wellbeing strategic initiatives will integrate and streamline self-management education into normal service delivery. Changing the culture to service users being responsible for their own health will take focused commitment and time but is necessary if as a society and organisation we achieve a reduction in chronic disease.

2. INTRODUCING PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS TO SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION
Paula Quinn, MSc in Leadership and Management Development
Introduction & Background
Methodology
Evaluation
The vision of the Healthy Ireland Framework (2013 – 2015) is that everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their optimum potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society and is everyone’s responsibility.
The National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare (HIQA, 2012) recommends service users and providers work together to enable a culture that promotes better health and wellbeing.
The aim of self-management is to develop knowledge, skills and confidence with patients and clients and their families so they can take responsibility for their own care (Zwar, 2006).
The HSE Change Model was used.
Initiation:
Undertook Force Field, SWOT and Stakeholder and Pestle analysis.
Developed communication strategy.
Planning
Procured Self-management programme.
Convened meetings with key stakeholders.
Agreed coalitions with PCTs and social prescribers and acute hospital.
Formed partnerships with Community and Voluntary Sector.
Identified and trained 20 self-management facilitators.
Commenced media campaign.
HSE Change Model
Implementation
10 courses attended by 119 people.
Mainstreaming
Continued focus on embedding self-management into service delivery.
Plans in place to integrate programme into broader health and wellbeing strategy.
Self-care project officer appointed.
The project was evaluated by using quantitative and qualitative approach (Polit et al 2006)
Participants reported:
“Motivated me to eat better and exercise. Made me realise that I am in control of my illness”.
“I feel more confident and positive. I can cope better”.
“I liked learning from others on the course”.
“I liked the social aspect of the course, do not feel so isolated”.
Aims & Objectives
Aim:
To introduce people with chronic conditions to self-management education to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence.
Objectives:
Train 20 self-education facilitators.
Provide 10 self-management courses.
Evaluate the impact programme had on participant’s.
Influence the development of a culture of self-management and empowerment of service users.
Conclusion
Supported people to make positive lifestyle changes.
Enhanced care planning and communication between providers and users.
Promoted Healthy Ireland strategy objectives.
Influenced a culture of user responsibility.
References
Zwar, N., Harris, M., Griffiths, R., Roland, M.,Dennis, S., Powell Davies, G., Hasan, I., A Systematic Review of Chronic Disease Management Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW.
Polit, D.F., and Tatano-Beck, C., (2006). Essential of Nursing Research : Methods, Appraisal and Utilisation. Sixth Edition. Lipincott Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia.