Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) was developed by a team of researchers at Stanford University. It’s a self-management education workshop for people with a variety of chronic health conditions. It aims to build participants’ confidence in managing their health and keep them active and engaged in their life.
Participants attend a 2 1⁄2-hour interactive workshop once a week for 6 weeks to learn problem-solving, decision-making, and other techniques for managing problems common to people with chronic diseases. In a typical workshop, participants set a realistic goal for the upcoming week and develop an action plan for meeting that goal. They report on their progress at the following workshop and solicit feedback from the group to help address any challenges.
We offer the following FREE self-management programs:
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP)
- Getting the Most from your Healthcare Appointment (GTMHA)
- Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP)
- Cancer Thriving and Surviving will start later 2025 (CTAS)
The client does not need a referral from a doctor or health care professional to attend these workshops
Healthcare Professional self-management programs available now
- Health Literacy
- Brief Action Planning
Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop Series: February 2025
We currently have two virtual workshop series options available to choose from this month. In-person and virtual workshops are open to all in North West Ontario. To register, please click through the below link.
For the best learning experience, we strongly recommend attending all 6 sessions. While full attendance is not mandatory, it greatly enhances your benefit from the program. Registration is required to participate.
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/r/FFT8PbX1Yv
Next Workshop Dates
Virtual – February 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2
- 2:00PM – 4:30PM EST
- Wednesdays
Virtual – March 22, 29; April 5, 12, 19, 26
- 10:00AM – 12:30PM EST
- Saturdays
Become a Facilitator
Become a Presenter for CDSMP Workshops
A CDSMP Peer Leader is interested in supporting and empowering others to better manage their chronic conditions and live a healthy life.
The ideal CDSMP Peer Leader should possess a strong understanding of chronic diseases, excellent communication skills, and the ability to empathize with participants. They should have some knowledge of evidence-based self-management techniques. Additionally, they should be able to effectively lead group discussions, provide guidance and support, and adapt to the diverse needs of participants.
CDSMP Peer Leaders may be living with a chronic condition themselves or have loved ones living with a chronic condition. Interested volunteers are not required to have a healthcare education or experience. Once trained, peer leaders who deliver a complete workshop series will receive a honorarium.
Characteristics of a Peer Leader
- Able to deliver a scripted program
- Able to facilitate group discussions and activities
- Committed to the philosophy of the program, its objectives and goals
- Empathy and understanding towards participants’ needs and challenges
- Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to create a positive and inclusive learning environment
- Flexibility and adaptability to meet the diverse needs of participants
- Passion for helping others improve their self-management skills.
- Able to maintain confidentiality
Expectations:
- Must submit a volunteer application form and agree to participate in an interview virtually or in-person
- Must be able to demonstrate the characteristics of a Leader
- Commit to attend a 7-week training which is 1-2 times a week, 2.5 hours each
- Must sign all applicable forms (e.g. Volunteer Application Form)
- If in-person, have the ability to arrange own transportation to and from future workshops you facilitate
- If virtual, have the equipment (e.g. computer, webcam) necessary to facilitate workshops online
- Must undertake and submit evidence of a valid Police Vulnerable Sector Screening upon request
- The training and materials are provided free of cost
Getting the Most from Your Healthcare Appointment: February 2025
Our next workshop will be taking place in-person (NorWest CHC) and virtually on. To register, please click through the below link.
Please register for reminders and to receive link for virtual: https://forms.office.com/r/XfbRDReyqt
Program Description
The “Getting the Most from your Healthcare Appointment” workshop was developed for the public by the South West Self-Management Program in 2013. This 1 – 1.5 hours, interactive workshop, focuses on what to do before, during and after an appointment and uses action planning to optimize people’s health. A variety of learning resources are used including information sharing, videos, tools and a resource manual that supports the individual with integrating the skills into their next appointment. This workshop prepares and empowers individuals to communicate more effectively with their health care provider. Ultimately, patients are the most important members of their healthcare team.
Next Workshop Date
Thursday, March 6, 2025
11:45AM to 1:00PM EST
- Virtual: Register to receive Zoom link
Cancer: Thriving and Surviving
Our first Cancer Thriving and Surviving workshop will be taking place virtually on Zoom. To register, please click through the below link.
Please register for reminders and to receive link for virtual: https://forms.office.com/r/SC9HvacixY
Program Description
The Cancer: Thriving and Surviving Self-Management Program is designed for people who are living with and/or have been affected by cancer. The workshop gives participants the skills to coordinate all the things needed to manage their health, as well as to help them keep active in their lives and relationships. Participants learn new knowledge, acquire skills in using strategies and techniques and gain higher confidence and motivation to manage their health and feel more positive about their lives.
The workshop runs for 2 ½ hours once a week for six consecutive weeks; and is facilitated by two trained leaders who are cancer survivors or caretakers of cancer survivors. Each session is highly interactive, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. Each participant in the workshop receives a copy of the companion book, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.
Next Workshop Date
Mondays: February 3, 10, 24, March 3, 10, 17
1:30PM to 4:00PM EST
- Virtual: Register to receive Zoom link
Diabetes Self-Management Program
DSMP workshops are scheduled to run in April 2025. A 4-day in-person training will be held in March to have new facilitators.
If you are interested in delivering workshops for the DSMP, please register for the training below:
Program Description
The Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) is a lay-led patient education program. This program is led by pairs of trained lay leaders to groups of ten to sixteen people once each week for 2 and ½ hours for six consecutive weeks. Courses are held in community locations such as recreation centres, community centres, schools and churches. Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both of whom are non-health professionals living with diabetes themselves.
Next Workshop Date
Train-the-trainer, In-Person – March 24-27, 2025
8:30AM – 4:30PM EST
- In-person at NorWest Community Health Centres, 525 Simpson St, Thunder Bay
Health Literacy:
- Webinar (1 hr): This overview provides training in the concept of health literacy and an introduction to teach-back for understanding.
- Half-day (4 hrs) or 2 x 2-hours: This workshop provides training in fundamental concepts from the health literacy universal precautions and teaches core skills including how to use resources, plain language, teach-back, and ask-offer-ask.
Brief Action Planning: This workshop provides training in the core Brief Action Planning (BAP) principles and techniques. The core concepts and practical skills for this course are the same as in the Brief Action Planning Online Course.
Next Health Literacy Webinar/Workshop
Overview Webinar: March 21, 12:00-1:15PM
- Register: https://forms.office.com/r/7ntC1GcZL5
Workshop: TBD
Next Brief Action Planning Workshop
In-Person March 11 and 18
9:00AM – 12:00PM
- In-person at NorWest Community Health Centres, 525 Simpson St, Thunder Bay
Register now: https://forms.office.com/r/ijW6VnBaip
Questions? Interested in participating in a workshop?
Please contact Kevin, Manager for Chronic Disease Self-Management Program at 807-626-8480.