Chronic Disease Self-Management Education: Program Success and Future Directions

Self-management is recognized as a fundamental part of health care. This chapter provides an overview of Stanford’s suite of chronic disease self-management education (CDSME) programs with an emphasis on the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). Several issues are addressed including (1) the philosophy behind CDSMP and the core elements designed to help patients deal with their chronic conditions; (2) the range of appropriate delivery settings; (3) patient targets for maximal benefit; (4) recommended metrics and demonstrated outcomes in terms of meeting the triple aims of better health, better health care, and better value; (5) strategies for maintaining fidelity and promoting scalability; (6) integration with current health care technologies (e.g., electronic medical records); and (7) applicability to current health care policies (e.g., the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). Offering an excellent model for geriatric practice, the Stanford suite of CDSME has countless potential to help older patients manage their comorbidities. It can also serve as an important bridge between community and clinical care approaches.