Benefits to Patients
nimproved communication with professionals
nmore community involvement
ngreater life satisfaction
ngreater sense of purpose
nimproved general health
nincreased confidence
ndecrease in physical deterioration
nfewer GP & hospital appointments
nreduction in levels of pain
nless depression/anxiety
nless fatigue
The overall aim of the programme is that it affectively enhances the individuals quality of life.
In a five year randomised study of the programme (evaluated by Stanford University) involving more than 1000 participants it was shown that individuals who had taken the programme, when compared with those who had not taken a programme had:
•Improved their healthful behaviours (exercise, cognitive symptom management, coping skills and communication with health professionals)
•Improved their health status (self-reported health, fatigue, disability, social activities and stress levels)
•Decreased their visits to health professionals and reduced the length of hospital admissions