Familias Unidas International, Inc.

Presentation by Imelda Medina, MD MPH at the 16th Geneva Conference on Person Centered Medicine

​

Persons Helping Persons Take Steps for Healthier Living

​

ABSTRACT

​

Most older adults. have one or more chronic medical conditions, which impose an enormous and growing burden on themselves, their families, and society, as well as on health care systems. around the world.  The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) was originally developed at Stanford University and is now managed by the Self-Management Resource Center.  It was designed to assist persons living with one or more chronic conditions.  Many studies have shown effectiveness and provided the evidence base.

 

Peer-led, 6-week, small-group highly structured meetings comprise the basic intervention method.  Based on the Self-Efficacy theory and focusing on problems that are frequently encountered by persons with any chronic condition, they cover material that focuses on  building a tool kit of skills, useful to help deal with chronic conditions on a daily basis.  Participants self-tailor the material and tools to their individual conditions and circumstances.  Today approximately one million people in 30 countries have participated in these programs. 

 

The current evidence for effectiveness of the CDSMP suggests that benefits to participants include improvements in health behaviors, health outcomes, quality of life and reductions in utilization of health care resources.

 

Through this presentation, a description of the CDSMP and its impact was provided to help with the process of continue identifying the most effective ways to implement this program at the population level.