Preamble
Disease management is increasingly recognized as an important component of workplace health promotion given our aging workforce, the prevalence of chronic conditions, and the importance of maintaining a productive and competitive workforce. The OECS Commission under the auspices of the three year old Health Unit Headed by Dr. Carlene Radix, has taken the bold initiative to help their staff maintain a healthy lifestyle with the Stanford Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP).
Introduction
Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is among the most widely disseminated and researched evidence-based programmes and is extremely effective in helping individuals better manage their chronic disease and related complications.The implementation of the chronic disease self-management programme provided a unique opportunity for real advancement within the OECS Commission for creating an environment that fosters healthy living. The CDSMP served as a vehicle for helping persons develop skills and techniques to enhance self-care of their chronic conditions.
Goal of the Program
The Chronic disease self-management programme aimed to facilitate the empowerment of persons living with chronic diseases through the provision of information, teaching skills and techniques to improve self-care and doctor/patient interaction, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life at the Commission.
Specific Objectives of the Program
1. Foster the development of health habits that will lay the foundation for healthy living and wellness
2. Create an environment which supports healthy lifestyle changes and provides peer support
3. Build participants confidence in managing their health
Session Highlights
Session Closure
Conclusion
Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) are a global health problem and one of the leading health problems in the Caribbean. Chronic diseases are multidimensional and affect all aspects of people’s lives, especially work. Therefore it is of paramount importance that persons understand how to manage their conditions especially in a work environment. In addition, people with chronic diseases are constantly required to make decisions that affect their health, which have ramifications for work performance and employability.