Expert Patients Programme Online

The Expert Patients Programme Online Course is an internet-based, interactive self-management course to help people learn to manage the day-to-day issues associated with living with any long-term condition(s).

The Online Course can be particularly useful for those whose health conditions may prevent them accessing a community course, e.g. agoraphobia, mobility problems, neurological conditions, cystic fibrosis etc.

The Online Course aims to widen access to the Expert Patients Programme self-management programme and is also useful for those who have difficulty getting out of the house, live in rural areas, or who would prefer to do the course online rather than face-to-face.

A user name and email address allows course participants to log on to the course remotely, 2-3 times per week, for a total of 2 hours.  The course lasts 6 weeks and participants can access the course at anytime and anywhere there is internet access.

Course participants learn to:

• Manage pain and extreme tiredness
• Cope with feelings of depression
• Relaxation techniques and exercise
• Healthy eating
• Action planning and problem solving techniques
• Communication skills with healthcare professionals, friends, family and colleagues.

The course was developed by staff at Stanford University, USA, who have years of experience in successfully managing online programmes across America.  The NHS implemented a pilot scheme from 2005 to 2006 and found course attendees showed significant improvements in confidence and energy.

For more information please call the Expert Patients Programme CIC on Freephone 0800 988 5550 or contact us by email today.

Free Online Self-Management Courses are now available in parts of Wales

EPP Cymru is working in partnership with EPP CIC to provide FREE Online Self-Management Courses in the West and North areas of Wales - covering Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Wrexham, Flintshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey.

For more information please call 01443 233514 or e-mail info@eppwales.org or visit the EPP Cymru website - www.eppwales.org

What course participants say

Anna - Farnham

“The course has definitely helped with my confidence levels and I feel brighter.”

During late 2004, the vision in my right eye went blurry. I was referred to Frimley Park with optical neuritis. In about April 2005, I went for an MRI and a follow-up with the neurologist who told me that I was doing fine. Then, in January 2008 I had bronchitis which wouldn’t go away. I had difficulty walking, I kept falling over, I was so tired and I felt very low and depressed. By April my sister contacted the multiple sclerosis nurse who suggested I took a 5-day course of steroids and I got a lot better very quickly. Another MRI and the diagnosis of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis was confirmed by my Neurologist shortly afterwards.
 

More on Anna's story

Gary - Luton

“Although it’s only been a few months since I completed the course, it not only helped me while I was doing it, but is still helping me now. I set goals for myself each week; I’ve learnt how to control the effects of my pain and how to have a more positive approach to coping with my depression as I’m doing exercises to keep me mentally active."

Gary, 43 from Luton, Bedfordshire had smoked since the age of 20. He often became short of breath and struggled with tightening in his chest. Whenever he reached the point where he was really struggling, he’d cut back on the number of cigarettes he smoked until the symptoms subsided before starting to increase his use again. It was only after suffering an accident at work that it came to light he actually had asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which were being made worse by smoking.

More on Gary's story

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