141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

289097
National study of chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP): One year changes in health outcomes for older adults

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 2:54 PM - 3:06 PM

Marcia Ory, PhD, MPH , Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
SangNam Ahn, PhD, MPSA , Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, The University of Memphis School of Public Health, Memphis, TN
Luohua Jiang , Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX
Nancy Whitelaw, PHD , The National Council on the Aging, Washington, DC
Kate Lorig, DrPH, RN , Patient Education Research Center, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Matthew Lee Smith, PhD, MPH, CHES , Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, The University of Georgia, College of Public Health, Athens, GA
Background. The growing prevalence of older adults with multiple chronic conditions places additional burden on the U.S. healthcare system, which may exacerbate negative outcomes for seniors in terms of healthcare interactions and health outcomes. Although disease management is especially important for older adults, few national studies have documented how the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) benefits this population over time.

Methods. The purpose of the study was to examine how the National Study of CDSMP (National Study) improves healthcare and health-related outcomes among adults aged 65 years or older (n=687). Participants were assessed at baseline and 12 months. Changes in healthcare outcomes (i.e., communication with physicians, medication compliance) and health outcomes (i.e., depression, self-assessed health) were observed over time. Linear mixed models and generalized linear mixed models were used to assess changes from baseline to 12-month follow-up.

Results. On average, study participants were age 74.8 years (±6.8) and reported having 2.9 (±1.6) chronic conditions at baseline. From baseline to 12-month follow-up, significant improvements were observed for healthcare outcomes: communication with physicians (p<0.001) and medication compliance (p=0.021). Significant improvements were also observed for health outcomes: depression (p<0.001), self-assessed health (p=0.035), and unhealthy physical days (p<0.001).

Conclusion. Findings indicate CDSMP can positively influence healthcare and health-related outcomes. Thus, concerted efforts are needed to integrate CDSMP into existing healthcare systems and community services to ensure the program is available and accessible to the rapidly increasing population of older adults with chronic conditions.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention

Learning Objectives:
Identify personal characteristics and health indicators of the National Study of Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) participants aged 65 years or older. Describe two ways the National Study improved health care and health outcomes among older adults.

Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have studied in chronic-disease self-management program many years producing quality journal articles.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.