MY CHOICES – MY HEALTH New Brunswick’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Initiative
MY CHOICES – MY HEALTH
In light of the growing awareness of challenges faced by people who develop a chronic disease and the burden of costs and services on the health care system, the Department of Health made a commitment to implement a chronic disease self-management initiative.
This initiative is based on the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program developed by
My Choices – My Health is a free six-session workshop designed to help individuals develop the skills needed to better manage the daily life challenges of living with chronic mental or physical diseases. The workshops, led by a provincial network of 79 specially trained facilitators, are offered once a week for two and a half hours. Each session has 8 to 18 participants.
The workshop covers such topics as:
- setting goals and solving problems;
- managing pain and fatigue;
- managing difficult emotions such as frustration and fear;
- eating healthy and being active to maintain and improve strength;
- techniques for reducing stress and anxiety;
- communicating effectively with your family, friends, and health care team.
Over 60 workshops have been offered throughout the province since April 2008, and the data collected so far via the evaluation process has been extremely positive. For example, 97% of all participants said they would recommend this program to others.
Where appropriate, physiotherapists are strongly encouraged to ask their clients to register for the workshop using our toll-free line (1-888-747-5511). In addition, we have posters, brochures, and displays that we would happy to send to you. To obtain these at no cost and/or to request additional information about the program, please contact Yves Ducharme, Provincial Coordinator (856-2943 or yves.ducharme@gnb.ca), or visit our website at www.gnb.ca/health.
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- MY CHOICES – MY HEALTH New Brunswick’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Initiative (December 15, 2009)
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