Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) was developed by a team of researchers at Stanford University. It’s a self-management education workshop for people with a variety of chronic health conditions, such as epilepsy. It aims to build participants’ confidence in managing their health and keep them active and engaged in their life.

Participants attend a 2 1⁄2-hour interactive workshop once a week for 6 weeks to learn problem-solving, decision-making, and other techniques for managing problems common to people with chronic diseases. In a typical workshop, participants set a realistic goal for the upcoming week and develop an action plan for meeting that goal. They report on their progress at the following workshop and solicit feedback from the group to help address any challenges.

Topics Include:

• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength and endurance
• Falls prevention
• Healthy eating
• Better breathing techniques
• Appropriate use of medication
• Working more effectively with healthcare providers
• Communicating with friends and family
• Communicating with oneself
• Communicating with the healthcare system
• Action-planning, problem-solving, decision-making