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When I was 50 I was diagnosed with PD. I had known for some time that "something was
wrong" but the diagnosis took some 3 years. I tried hard to be brave and not let it get the
better of me, but what I didn't have were the lifestyle "tools" to fully deal with my condition.
Then I heard about the Expert Patient Programme and signed on for a 6 week course. It
Then I heard about the Expert Patient Programme and signed on for a 6 week course. It
turned my life around. It sounds dramatic, but that is literally what happened to me.
The tutors were more like facilitators, drawing out our own strengths and weaknesses,
The tutors were more like facilitators, drawing out our own strengths and weaknesses,
showing us that just because the life we had planned for ourselves had been overturned, we
could still choose to live a new life which could be just as good, despite our conditions.
We learned to use our own skills and resources to beat the vicious circle of pain, depression,
We learned to use our own skills and resources to beat the vicious circle of pain, depression,
frustration and tension that accompanies any chronic illness. We learned to communicate
more effectively. I can't speak for other illnesses but certainly with PD it isn't just the patient
who suffers, it's the partner, the parent, the child and even friends are affected. Therefore
communication skills are invaluable. With good communication skills the road, although still
rocky, can be smoothed out a little for everyone concerned. The aim is to live the best
possible life you can, in spite of the disease.
What is an Expert Patient Programme?
A six week course for people with long-term illnesses - Free - funded by PCT.
It's led by two tutors who themselves have a long-term illness
It's not disease specific, anybody with any kind of long-term illness can come along.
A free course book comes with the course, which in itself is a valuable self-management toolkit.
It's very carefully scripted and timed and tutors go through a training course to ensure they
What is an Expert Patient Programme?
A six week course for people with long-
It's led by two tutors who themselves have a long-
It's not disease specific, anybody with any kind of long-
A free course book comes with the course, which in itself is a valuable self-
It's very carefully scripted and timed and tutors go through a training course to ensure they
understand the manual.
The course shows that, no matter what the long-term condition, the problems people have
The course shows that, no matter what the long-
with their illness are pretty much the same.
The course covers:
Goal setting for managing symptoms with the mind
Relaxation, fitness, exercise, nutrition, anger, fear and frustration
Communication skills
Medications
Dealing with Depression.
Reduce and Manage Stress
Learn to use resources
An Expert Patient is someone who:
Has gathered knowledge about his or her long-term condition and its treatment
Is aware of his/her responsibilities to take care of themselves
Can communicate effectively with the doctor and other health care professionals and willing
Goal setting for managing symptoms with the mind
Relaxation, fitness, exercise, nutrition, anger, fear and frustration
Communication skills
Medications
Dealing with Depression.
Reduce and Manage Stress
Learn to use resources
An Expert Patient is someone who:
Has gathered knowledge about his or her long-
Is aware of his/her responsibilities to take care of themselves
Can communicate effectively with the doctor and other health care professionals and willing
to share responsibility with them.
Feels confident and in control of their lives
Aims to manage their condition in partnership with professionals
Makes best use of professional advice, support and treatment
Is realistic about the impact of the disease on themselves and their family
Uses their skills and knowledge to lead a full life.
Feels confident and in control of their lives
Aims to manage their condition in partnership with professionals
Makes best use of professional advice, support and treatment
Is realistic about the impact of the disease on themselves and their family
Uses their skills and knowledge to lead a full life.
The title "Expert Patient Programme' puts some health professionals off because they
imagine that after doing the course the patient will dispense with the doctor and "go it alone",
with potentially disastrous results.
This is not the case at all, the title "Expert Patient Programme" relates to the fact that the
patient is an expert in how the condition affects them and how their bodies are reacting. It
doesn't mean that the patient knows more about medicine, but that the patient becomes an
expert in working with the doctors and health team to achieve the best possible outcome.
Results so far
45% said they felt more confident that they would not let the common symptoms interfere
with their lives
38% said they felt that these symptoms were less severe - 4-6 months after completing
the course
33% felt better prepared for meetings with health professionals
7% reduction in GP visits
10% reduction in outpatient visits
16% reduction in visits to A & E
9% reduction in physiotherapy use
94% of people said they felt supported and satisfied with the course.
For more information select this link to the Expert Patients Web site [ www.expertpatients.nhs.uk ]
imagine that after doing the course the patient will dispense with the doctor and "go it alone",
with potentially disastrous results.
This is not the case at all, the title "Expert Patient Programme" relates to the fact that the
patient is an expert in how the condition affects them and how their bodies are reacting. It
doesn't mean that the patient knows more about medicine, but that the patient becomes an
expert in working with the doctors and health team to achieve the best possible outcome.
Results so far
45% said they felt more confident that they would not let the common symptoms interfere
with their lives
38% said they felt that these symptoms were less severe -
33% felt better prepared for meetings with health professionals
7% reduction in GP visits
10% reduction in outpatient visits
16% reduction in visits to A & E
9% reduction in physiotherapy use
94% of people said they felt supported and satisfied with the course.
For more information select this link to the Expert Patients Web site [ www.expertpatients.nhs.uk ]
N.B. P.D. = Parkinsons Disease
The Expert Patients Programme
Gill’s experience
Gill’s experience