CHF Projects - Chronic Conditions Self Management 2008-10
About
the Project
Health care for consumers with chronic conditions is
a key priority area for the Consumers Health Forum of Australia
(CHF).
Chronic conditions can affect anyone, but
disproportionately affect disadvantaged members of our communities,
which heightens health inequalities already experienced in
Australia. Consumers with chronic conditions may find themselves
needing to forgo basic services and needs, such as heating, food and
medicines, in order to pay for the substantial out of pocket costs
of their health care.
CHF has long advocated for consumer networks to be
involved in the development and implementation of chronic conditions
self management (CCSM) initiatives to complement existing
initiatives, such as the Flinders Model, that focus on the role of
health professionals in this area. CHF has successfully secured
funding under the Australian Better Health Initiative to
undertake a two year project on CCSM, which focuses on encouraging
active patient self management of chronic conditions.
The project will establish links between health
consumer networks, health professionals, service providers and other
interested groups to achieve a sustainable network-based model for
consumer engagement at a local and a national level to implement
chronic conditions self management initiatives.
CHF will work with the Australian General Practice
Network (AGPN) and State Based Organisations (SBOs), through which
three local Divisions of General Practice will be selected to
partner with CHF in this project.
Following consumer consultations and advice,
undertaken in collaboration with partner Divisions of General
Practice (see Consumer Information Sessions), CHF will:
-
develop
resources for consumers to assist them in managing their chronic
conditions
-
work
with health professionals to develop and implement local
approaches to health professional development
-
work
with the tertiary sector to provide input into existing training
courses for health professionals and
-
promote
and support consumer representatives involved with chronic
conditions self management initiatives or similar national
strategies, and health professional training initiatives.
Guidance
for the project
The
project will be informed by consumer and health professional
involvement with chronic conditions self management and professional
development initiatives, and the guidance of the CHF chronic
conditions self management reference group.
A
liaison officer from the Australian Government Department of Health
and Ageing will be an observer on the reference group to facilitate
communication between the Department and CHF.
Funding
The
Chronic Conditions Self Management project is funded by the
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Australian
Better Health Initiative.
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