Ms Chelsea Hillenaar1, Prof Malcolm Battersby2, Dr David Smith2
1Canberra Health Services, Canberra, Australia, 2Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Chelsea is a Health Promotion Officer and an Accredited Practicing Dietitian working with the Community Care Program at Canberra Health Services. Chelsea learnt early in her career that traditional approaches weren't working to help many of her consumers to sustainably improve their health and quality of life. And so began her journey to reshape hers and other community allied health services' approach to healthcare with the vision of improving consumer care and empowering individuals. This is her first time dabbling in formal research, to further explore how to best support consumers live their best life with chronic conditions.
Abstract:
Background:
The “Take Control – Live Well” program was developed by the Community Care Allied Health Team with the aim of supporting self-management and empowering adults living with chronic conditions. It is structured around the tools of the evidenced-based Flinders Chronic Condition Management Program. However, the Flinders Program was not designed or been assessed for its effectiveness in a group setting. To guide and shape our care for people with chronic conditions, we are collaborating with Flinders University to conduct a feasibility and acceptability study of applying the Flinders Program to a group setting.
Methods:
Using a mixed method approach, the “Take Control – Live Well” program will be evaluated using Patient Reported Outcome and Experience Measures at pre-program, post-program, 3-months and 6-months. Additionally, five semi-structured qualitative interviews will be conducted (participants recruited via purposive sampling) and undergo thematic analysis.
Results:
Groups and data collection commenced in March 2024 and will conclude in May 2025. Feasibility and acceptability of the “Take Control – Live Well” program will be analysed by comparing results to previous studies on the Flinders Program in the individual setting. Preliminary baseline results will be presented at the Allied Health Conference.
Discussion:
This research will provide valuable insight into whether the Flinders Program (as the “Take Control – Live Well” program) achieves its purpose of empowering and supporting self-management in people living with chronic conditions in a group setting. Implications for other community allied health services working with chronic conditions will be discussed.