Session at First Presbyterian Church
Convened: 8/29/2009 11:45 am
Attendees and Affiliations:
- Maria Hostetter – RMH Heart Health Check and Chronic Disease Self Management/Self-Efficacy
- Alan Finks – Harrisonburg Dem. Party
- Kathy Winters – VA Organizing Project, RN/Health Ed
- Mike Newcomb- Pathways of Hope and Healing (self help for mental health)
- Sharelen Thompson – Health & Environmental Communications Institute, JMU
- Prof Bernie Mathes
- Keith Gnagy; Dan Chavez; Rachel Fulk;
- Tom Pike -treasurer with free clinic
- RN Deb Rhizal – Wellness Coach
Notes: Stanford U wrote a curriculm 15 years ago and has measured levels of confidence in self care pre and post “Chronic Disease Self Management Program” under Stanford University. Evidence that people who gain self-confidence in their own care have less hospital visits, increases prevention of additional chronic disease. Groups are inclusive of family/friends of the person with the disease. 6 week class, $25.00 Training is 4.5 8-hours days and you are then licensed by the state of VA in Stanfords Training.
Training is free under dept of health in VA. 20 leaders are now trained to train new leaders and lead groups. Sharon and Maria are trainers and facilitators. They lead leader training. You can also go on to train to be a master teacher etc. Last year there were 12 participants in the first 6-week class representing a variety of chronic conditions. They come for 2 1/2 hours each week.
Each session is scripted – so the trainer just needs to be able to follow the script and be familiar with the material. You are sharing information that is evidence-based and backed by Stanford. Classes have a 10-min lecture and then they break down into pairs or groups. Each week includes sharing and action plan. Every person shares their weekly action plan and reports the following week. The group helps each person to identify barriers and problem solve.
The person chooses their own solutions and their own action plans. Facilitator also models by setting their own goals. At the end of the class each person shares what they learned from the group. 2 individuals from the first group shared that they lost all understanding that they had a roll in their health care over their own health care when having cancer Program has been tweaked over 15 years and is seeing lots of success. Its now in 15 languages.
As a leader you are really set up for success. The classes are always taught by a pair, and both facilitators need to be trained. People who are interested in getting training can do so through Maria.
- Next facilitator trainer will probably be in June of 2010. Training before then is available in W. Virginia (3 1/2) this fall. (Sept most likely) – Marshall University. Maria has a wait list for her next training available now. The current activity: 10 people recently trained 2 people at Community Mennonite are starting a group for spouses of those who have depression. Sept. – Maria and Elaine are facilitating a group of cancer survivors.
Merck is having a class for anyone with any chronic condition. Anyone is welcome to participate. The training is free. You pay for textbook and CD ($25.00). Katherine Fields is the program coordinator for the You Can Live Well in VA. You could also ask her where the next class is. Maria’s work on this project is volunteer – this is not a paid RMH program. She volunteers the time she spends teaching these classes. Group sizes are usually between 8 and 24, 10-12 is great. Attrition rate seems to be about 10 out of 12.
Helping your students to take small successful steps is very important. You process excuses through group problem solving and if someone doesn’t want to participate that is OK. Two flip charts, marker boards, text book (optional) and a relaxation CD are the only materials. Curriculum: 1. Strong Emotions and Action Plan 2. Exercise 3. Nutrition 4. How to communicate with Healthcare Proivder, work the system. 5.Guided relaxation, breathing techniques (voluntary). 6. Setting 6 month goals. there are different focuses for the diabetic groups and the HIV groups and the Spanish-language/culture class.
A new course in cancer-survivor is upcoming. Groups continue monthly for “Monday with my friends” and the action plan continues. Can the mixed groups accomplish as much as the focus groups? Yes – Can you make money doing it? The JMU/RMH collaboration has potential for this. Harrisonburg could purchase 60 licensees, or if free clinic, HCHC (Harrisonburg Community Health Center) wanted to take it on – then you could because a coordinator would need to be hired. This personal ownership encourages people to get well and stay well. There is no pill that can do that for someone. Next class to participate as a student in is being taught by Elaine Dunaway – contact through RMH.
How does this contrast with RMH diabetes management classes? They are content based – this is process orientated. One answers “what” the other answers “how” How do people find out about the classes? Through RMH heart check program email list. Free clinic has had a hard time getting participation even when they offer a great program.
