CHF Chronic Conditions Self Management Project

The Consumers Health Forum (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. CHF has successfully secured funding from the Department of Health and Ageing 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 is working closely with AGPN to partner with three local Divisions of General Practice for this project. An EOI recruitment process was conducted in 2008 to select these three divisions. The successful divisions were;

Adelaide Northern Division (SA)
Murrumbidgee General Practice Network (NSW)
Rockingham Kwinana Division (WA)

Following consumer consultations and advice, undertaken in collaboration with partner divisions CHF will:

develop resources for consumers to assist them in managing their chronic condition;
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;
promote and support consumer representatives involved with chronic conditions self management initiatives or similar national strategies, and health professional training initiatives.

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.

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