Self-management training for people with chronic disease: a shared learning experience.

The lay-led, Chronic Disease Self-Management Course (CDSMC) is designed to train people in self-management. The present study focused on the experiences of a group of participants attending the CDSMC. Data were collected via interviews with nine participants four months and twelve months after attending the CDSMC. Results showed that participants appreciated the opportunity to share experiences in a reassuring environment. Goal setting was critical in making changes. The CDSMC provided participants with the confidence to select the self-management technique that would meet their needs at a given point in time.