The Working Party

This learning resource has been planned, designed and developed by the Chronic Condition Self-Management Working Party (CSMWP). Information on the members of this group can be seen in the Authors section of this site.

CCSM research

The main research activities to inform content for this resource are detailed below:

Review of literature

An initial review of the literature via OVID Medline and The Cochrane Library searched articles providing evidence-based support that self-management and a collaborative care approach can have positive effects on health outcomes. This search has been supplemented by recommended references and papers suggested by members of the CCSMWP and recommended specialists in the field of chronic condition self-management.

Consumer and Carer survey

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

Consumer and Carer focus group

Consumer and Carer focus group meetings were arranged to receive more detailed comments on collaborative experiences for the patient and carer, skills required to collaborate effectively, self-management care plans, recovery and resources to support the self-management process.

Needs analysis survey for Fellows

The link to the survey was emailed to all Fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Fellows responded to questions on current collaborative practices with the patient and carer, self-management care plans, recovery, working in a team and knowledge of resources for the psychiatrist, patient and carer.

Module overview

The learning objectives are clearly stated at the start of each module along with a pre-module test. Modules include:

Module 1: Optimising Wellness for Patients with Chronic Mental Health Conditions

This module defines key terms such as self-management and self-management support and offers evidence-based research to support the use of self-management with patients who have chronic conditions. The importance of collaboration is addressed and in particular the benefits of a collaborative approach for the psychiatrist, patient and carer.

Module 2: Supporting Self-management

Module 2 highlights the large number of components to which a patient must attend, to successfully manage their condition and to begin on the road to recovery. The module primarily focuses on self-management support and puts emphasis on the skills required to offer optimal self-management support. Self-management support is discussed in the context of the Chronic Care Model and a list of useful resources and support agencies for psychiatrists is provided.

Module 3: Self-management Care Planning

Module 3 provides psychiatrists with knowledge of processes that can be utilised when developing and reviewing a self-management care plan such as the self-management care plan interview, assessing the capability of the patient and carer for self-management, establishing a problem and goal statement, the follow-up interview and review. The importance of a collaborative process to include the carer is explained with reference to privacy and confidentiality.

Module 4: Patient and Carer Education for Self-management

Module 4 develops the psychiatrist's ability to implement self-management support and provides research evidence of the importance of different components of self-management. Details on resources, self-management courses and support agencies available to patients and their carers are also provided.

Module 5: Implementing Self-management Support in Your Practice

Module 5 has been designed to guide you through the process of implementing good self-management support in your practice. This includes organising a self-management support improvement team, using assessment tools to identify areas for improvement, use of the PDCA cycle and implementing change.

Module 6: Psychiatrists' Self-care

Module 6 provides evidence that suggests that psychiatrists’ personal health behaviours influence the treatment of patients. The psychiatrist is encouraged to undertake tasks to improve personal health and well-being to provide insight into the challenges that self-management techniques and lifestyle change may present for patients.

Continuing professional development

CPD points

By completing the modules, participants can accrue continuing professional development (CPD) credits. Participants may claim two credits for completing each module. Additional credits can be claimed where it can be shown that additional relevant activity has been completed.

Evidence of completion

Users who log on to the site and record their comments in the text boxes provided can print their comments / send their responses to an email account to keep a record of the completed module(s). This information may be required in the case of an audit.

Terminology

A ‘Glossary’ tab is provided in this resource which includes definitions of key terms. Please note that the terms ‘patient’ and ‘carer’ in the context of this resource should be defined as follows:

Icons

The following icons have been used in the text.

	Icon	Description	Icon	Description
Text icons		General self-management and the patient, psychiatrist and carer relationship		Self-management support
		Collaboration / team work		Patient- or carer-centred
		Patient’s comments		Psychiatrist’s comments
Written or reflection work		Reflective exercise		Record your thoughts / answer the questions
		Author's comments
Resources to support learning		Resource(s)		Audio
		Video		References
		Research