Are patient competencies in managing chronic conditions improved using the Flinders self-management approach?

Flinders Program for Chronic Care Management The Flinders Program provides a generic set of tools and processes that enables health workers and patients to undertake a structured process that provides assessment of self-management behaviours, collaborative identification of problems and goal-setting, leading to the development of individualised longitudinal (12 month) care plans. For the trial, the Flinders Program will be delivered as an initial care planning session between the client and a health professional who has been trained in using the Program. The health professional will provide follow up 2-4 weekly for up to 6 months to monitor progress, provide feedback and motivation, and problem solving training to assist the client to achieve their goals and enhance their self-management. Participants in this group also receive usual care for the duration of the Flinders Program and until the end of the trial.