The LIFE program–improving
long-term health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Australians
Ms
Kate Warren and Fiona Coulthard
Spencer Rural Health School
University of South Australia
What is the LIFE Program?
The LIFE Program is an integrated model of chronic disease management
which encompasses
three main elements: Health Promotion, Holistic Care Coordination
and the LIFE course. The LIFE
course is a major element in the model and is an adapted version
of the Stanford University’s
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). Adapted primarily
for Aboriginal
participants with chronic conditions, the Leaders manual has been
further developed for training of
LIFE Leaders: Aboriginal health workers, community members, and
other health professionals who
work in Aboriginal health.
What will be covered in the workshop?
Reflection and discussion on the development of the LIFE
program at Pika Wiya Health Service
Inc. including:
· Participant consultation to adapt the Stanford CDSMP
· Issues and strategies
· The major changes to the Leaders manual
· Cultural adaptation:
o Changing examples to those more appropriate for
Aboriginal people
o Developing traditional artwork depicting the major themes
o Use of local language
o Flexible learning settings eg, sitting outside under a tree may
be the most effective
· The expansion of the generic 4 day training into LIFE
Leaders training
· Sustainability
Who should attend?
· Anyone interested in CDSM
· Anyone interested in Indigenous health
· Anyone interested in adapting programs for people of culturally
and linguistically diverse
backgrounds.
As a pre-requisite of this workshop, participants should
have at minimum, a conceptual
understanding of the Stanford CDSMP. Potential participants can
review the Stanford CDSMP by
visiting the Stanford website at http://patienteducation.stanford.edu/programs/cdsmp.html |