The 5 As framework is a process that can be used for developing a self-management action plan. The framework is based around the key terms assess, advise, agree, assist and arrange.

The 5 As model can be used for developing a self-management action plan. The model is based around the key terms assess, advise, agree, assist and arrange.

A process that includes a broad set of attitudes, behaviours and skills. It is directed towards managing the impact of the disease or condition on all aspects of living by the patient with a chronic condition. It includes, but is not limited to, self-care and it may also encompass prevention. The following are believed to contribute to this process: having knowledge of the condition and/or its management; adopting a self-management care plan agreed and negotiated in partnership with health professionals, significant others and/or carers and other supporters; actively sharing in decision-making with health professionals, significant others and/or carers and other supporters; monitoring and managing signs and symptoms of the condition; managing the impact of the condition on physical, emotional, occupational and social functioning; adopting lifestyles that address risk factors and promote health by focusing on prevention and early intervention; having access to, and confidence in the ability to use support services.  (NHPAC, 2006)

Chronic condition self-management support is what health professionals, carers and the health system do to assist the patient to manage their condition (NHPAC, 2006).

It means acknowledging the patients' central role in their care, one that fosters a sense of responsibility for their own health. It includes the use of proven programs that provide basic information, emotional support, and strategies for living with chronic illness. Self-management support can't begin and end with a class. Using a collaborative approach, providers and patients work together to define problems, set priorities, establish goals, create treatment plans and solve problems along the way. (From Improving Chronic Illness Care)

The term chronic condition encompasses disability and disease conditions that people may ‘live with’ over extended periods of time (i.e. more than 6 months) (WHO, 2002).

Chronic disease is a subset of chronic conditions and refers to a specific medical diagnosis. It may be more likely to have a progressively deteriorating path than other chronic conditions (WHO, 2002).

This program was developed by Professor Kate Lorig and her colleagues at Stanford Education Research Center nearly three decades ago. They have developed, tested, and evaluated self-management programs for English and Spanish speakers with chronic health problems. All of the programs are designed to help people gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms and how their health problems affect their lives.

In this module, a collaborative approach refers to the psychiatrist, patient, carer and other health professionals working together as a team to provide the best possible health outcomes for the patient.

To inform the content for this resource, a survey was circulated via email to national and state-based consumer and carer organisations and the results, comments and feedback have been integrated into this resource. Consumers and carers were asked questions including their understanding of self-management, the most important elements of self-management, collaboration practices between the psychiatrist, patient and carer and their recommendations for improving collaborative processes.

The Cue and Response Tool has been developed to work in conjunction with the Flinders Self-management Program. It is a structured questionnaire to assist with assessment of the self-management capabilities of the patient.

Awareness of cultural diversity and the ability to function effectively, and respectfully, when working with and treating people of different cultural backgrounds. Cultural competence means a doctor has the attitudes, skills and knowledge needed to achieve this. (Online Orientation Programme for Overseas Trained Doctors on New Zealand's Mental Health System, 2009)

The Expert Patients Programme offers chronic condition self-management courses for people living with long-term health conditions in the UK. It is based around the CDSMP course developed by Lorig and aims to improve the quality of life for people living with long-term health conditions. The courses are designed to give people the tools, techniques and confidence to manage their condition better on a daily basis.

The Flinders Self-management Program has been developed at the Flinders Human Behaviour and Health Research Unit in Adelaide by Battersby et al. The program, underpinned by cognitive behaviour therapy, is administered by the clinician and includes a semi-structured assessment of self-management strengths and barriers and sets goals. A twelve-month care plan is created and agreed upon by the patient and the clinician, which incorporates medical and self-management actions.

Examines how an individual, who believes that they are at high risk of acquiring a disease which will affect their physical and psychosocial health, will change behaviour for positive health gains. The individual will take into account the susceptibility of the problem, the perceived severity of the problem and the barriers to and benefits of changing behaviours.

Offers three components to the way that individuals behave. Internal locus of control is where the individual takes control of their behaviour, making their own decisions. External locus of control is where the individual searches for answers from outside. The influence of powerful others is where behaviour is influenced by situations such as economic or social.

The National Chronic Disease Strategy is the Australian national approach to chronic disease prevention and management. In November 2005 the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference (AHMC) endorsed a national strategic policy approach to manage and improve chronic disease prevention and care in the Australian population.

The problem and goal statement in this module is discussed as part of the Flinders Self-management Program and is arrived at by following a three-step process: the actual problem, what happens because of it and how the patient feels about this. The patient is then able to write down an achievable goal or solution to this problem.

A personal process of changing one's attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles. It involves the development of new meaning and purpose and a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life as the person grows beyond the effects of psychiatric disability. The process of recovery must be supported by individually-identified essential services and resources. (4th National Mental Health Plan 2008)

Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the day’s challenges. It is not a perfectly linear process. At times our course is erratic and we falter, slide back, regroup and start again . . .The need is to meet the challenge of the disability and to re-establish a new and valued sense of integrity and purpose within and beyond the limits of the disability; the aspiration is to live, work, and love in a community in which one makes a significant contribution. (Deegan PE, 1988)

Recovery is an ongoing dynamic interactional process that occurs between a person's strengths, vulnerabilities, resources and the environment. It involves a personal journey of actively self-managing psychiatric disorder while reclaiming, gaining and maintaining a positive sense of self, roles and life beyond the mental health system, in spite of the challenge of psychiatric disability. Recovery involves learning to approach each day's challenges, to overcome disabilities, to live independently and to contribute to society. Recovery is supported by a foundation based on hope, belief, personal power, respect, connections, and self-determination. (Onken SJ, Dumont JM, Ridgway P, Dornan DH, & Ralph RO, 2002)

Individuals learn behaviour through observation. Self-efficacy is a significant predictor of behaviour change, based on an individual's ability to perform, others' belief that the individual has the ability to perform, others' influence and social support and the physical feeling of well-being from successfully performing the task.

(Also known as transtheoretical model) Individuals will make behaviour changes based on the stage of change that the person is at. To be successful with behaviour change, health strategies need to be targeted at the correct stage of the model. The six stages of change are: pre-contemplation; contemplation; preparation; action; maintenance; and termination.

Suggests that five main concepts should be included within an adult learning program: self-concept, experience, readiness to learn, orientation to learning and being motivated to learn.

Based around behaviour being predicted by two types of attitudes or beliefs. The first attitude is based around learned experiences and knowing that the behaviour selected will result in a positive outcome. The second is based on the beliefs of a group. If they believe in a certain outcome then the individual could be pressured into acting out that behaviour.

(Also known as stages of change model). Individuals will make behaviour changes based on the stage of change that the person is at. To be successful with behaviour change, health strategies need to be targeted at the correct stage of the model. The six stages of change are: pre-contemplation; contemplation; preparation; action; maintenance; and termination.