Chronic Disease Self-Management Mailed Tool Kit (with or without telephone scripts) is an interactive English language workshop delivered by mailed tool kit with materials that may be supplemented with six weekly scripted group telephone calls for 3-6 people on each call. For those living with one or more physical or mental health chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, depression, etc. Participants learn the skills to manage their conditions on a day to day basis: exercise, healthy eating, symptom management (pain, fatigue, sleep, shortness of breath, stress and depression), weight loss, and communication skills. Core self-management skills taught include action planning, problem solving and decision making.

  • Target audience: Adults, 18 years and older, living with one or more chronic conditions, especially those who cannot or will not use the internet.
  • Health outcomes: 
    • Improved health behaviors (exercise, medication adherence, communication with health professionals)
    • Reduced symptoms (depression, activity limitation, days physical health not good, days mental health not good, (for those with diabetes, hypoglycemia)
    • Reduced health care utilization (ED visits, physician visits )
  • Delivered by: 1 trained peer facilitator (only if telephone calls are used)
  • Program type: Individual or small groups of 3-6
  • Format: By mail, telephone. Materials received through the mail (book, self-test, tip sheets, exercise and relaxation CDs or MP3s) with or without six weekly 45-60-minute small group phone calls.
  • Length: Optional, 6 weekly 45-60-minute sessions for those receiving phone calls.
  • Training: In-person or virtual (same training as for CDSMP leaders)
  • Professional required: No
  • Accessibility adaptations available: Yes 
  • Cultural adaptations available: Yes 
  • Available in languages other than English: See Tomando Control de Su Salud Tool Kit for Spanish
  • Topic(s):
    • Chronic Disease
    • Falls Prevention
    • Medication Management
    • Nutrition
    • Pain Management
    • Physical Activity
  • See also:

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