Chronic Disease Self Management Support Network

Overview

Objectives

Partners

Resources and Links

Contact Officer

Overview

The Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI), announced by the Council of Australian Governments in February 2006, is a four year, $500 million, national initiative designed to strengthen the health system's focus on promoting good health and reducing the burden of chronic disease.

'Encouraging active patient self-management of chronic disease' is an identified priority area within ABHI. The ABHI self-management component aims to integrate the principles of chronic disease self management (CDSM) and self-management support into the primary health care system, through the provision of education and resources to the existing and future workforce.

General Practice Tasmania receives funding from the Australian Government to participate in a national chronic disease self management support network (the CDSM Support Network). The aim of the network is to strengthen the focus of primary health care on promoting good health and reducing the burden of chronic disease.

The CDSM Support Network provides a national focus on chronic disease self management; providing opportunities to share, discuss and promote information, resources and best practice models of chronic disease self management; and developing linkages, collaboration and integration between chronic disease self management with other primary health care initiatives and key stakeholders.

The CDSM support network also aims to strengthen the capacity of the health workforce to deliver and support self management strategies, by supporting, brokering, and promoting multidisciplinary education and training opportunities. It is anticipated that the chronic disease self management network will enhance patient outcomes in chronic disease.

General Practice Tasmania has formed a Health Programs Team, which works to progress the aims and objectives of several chronic disease prevention and management programs including Nursing in General Practice, Diabetes Type 2 Prevention, Health Checks, Aged Care and Immunisation. The Health Programs team work closely with other program areas within the organisation to provide a coordinated approach to prevention and management of chronic conditions. Evidence shows that quality care is strengthened by team based approaches to care, sound clinical and information support systems and strong links with other health care providers. Program staff also work with the following program areas to ensure an integrated approach:

• eHealth/Information Management
• Mental Health
• ABHI Primary Care Integration Project
• State Health Liaison.

Objectives

The National objectives of the CDSM Support Network are to:

• Provide the Divisions network with a stronger focus on CDSM and CDSM support (including prevention)
• Provide opportunities for discussion and promotion of CDSM and CDSM support
• Promote linkages to primary care programs, other ABHI initiatives, State and Territory Governments and Consumer Groups

Locally, the CDSM Support Network program aims to support the following General Practice Tasmania priorities:

• Support improvements in practice quality and capacity particularly in the area of chronic disease prevention
• Work with government and non-government organisations in preventing and managing chronic disease into the future
• Develop and promote team based models of care in a manner that recognises and responds to the needs of general practice
• Implement robust systems for clinical communications, data collection and information management.

Partners

Effective primary health care relies on solid relationships and integration between general practice, allied health services, government and non-government sectors. General Practice Tasmania has partnerships with the following organisations:

• The Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)
• State Based Organisations (SBOs) across Australia
• Divisions of General Practice (DGPs)
• The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
• Tasmanian State Department of Health and Human Services
• The Tasmanian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
• The Tasmanian Self Management Alliance (TasSMA)
• Peak bodies representing non-government organistions in the prevention and management of chronic conditions

Contact Officer