Hawkesbury Hills Division of General Practice

Moving On is a brand new Australian chronic disease self-management program developed by Arthritis NSW in partnership with the National Prescribing Service. The program aims to help participants manage their chronic illness by challenging unhealthy behaviours and attitudes as well as providing the knowledge and skills they need to create positive changes in their lives.   Although it has been developed by Arthritis NSW it is for anyone with any type of chronic condition. Around half of all people with arthritis will also have another chronic condition, while a large percentage of people with other chronic conditions also have arthritis[1]. This indicated that a self-management program that was for all types of chronic conditions was needed. 

Moving On is a group-based program with a focus on the individuals within that group. The program runs for around three hours once a week for seven weeks and includes 11 different modules that have either been written or reviewed by expert partners. Some of the modules include:

·         Getting the Most Out of Your Medicines

·         Working with Your Health Care Team

·         Healthy Eating

·         Physical Activity.

 

With a strong focus on long-term goal setting and behaviour change, the program tries to link participants back to primary health care as the ongoing care and support providers.

The University of New South Wales’ Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity has been commissioned to conduct a Randomised Control Trial to evaluate the program. Participants may be allocated to either the Moving On program or a light physical exercise program and both programs are free. Participants must be referred to the study by a health professional.  

Hawkesbury Hills Division of General Practice is one of the organisations that are assisting this research with our CEO, Darren Carr, being part of the Research Team, as an Associate Investigator. Two Division staff members have been trained to facilitate the Moving On program and the Division is supporting the research study in any other way it can. We encourage our members to do the same.

The evaluation is being conducted in a small number of Local Government Areas in the Sydney Metropolitan Area and should be completed in late 2010. 

If you would like more information on the Moving On program or the research study please call 1800 332 131 or email movingon@arthritisnsw.org.au

 

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