Expert Patient Programme FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Expert Patient?
An observation made frequently by doctors who take care of patients with long-term chronic illness is "my patients understand their condition better than I do". Many patients are indeed experts in their own right for they have gained the life skills to cope with a chronic condition, and there is increasing evidence that patients - with proper support - can take a lead in 'self-managing' their conditions.
What does the NHS Expert Patients Programme do?
It provides training opportunities for people with chronic conditions - such as arthritis, asthma, heart disease, stroke, manic depression, diabetes mellitus, endometriosis, and others - to develop skills to 'self-manage' their condition more effectively.
Why do we need the Expert Patients Programme?
In the late 20th Century we saw the patterns of disease in England change from acute diseases (like measles, scarlet fever) towards chronic or long-term illnesses.
In England alone there are now nearly 10 million people who have a longstanding illness which limits their activities in some way. They've had variable experiences of using health services - the better services have provided good advice and information and their questions have been answered. But few services have encouraged people with chronic conditions to develop 'self-management' skills, despite research showing that they are often in the best position to know what they need in their day-to-day lives.
How are the people who take part going to benefit?
We're confident that the Expert Patients Programme will mean real benefits for people with chronic conditions - as well as for the NHS. All the available evidence - from academic studies both here and abroad, from organisations that have experience of running self-management programmes, and from patients who have themselves taken part in such programmes - clearly shows that:
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Many more will see their condition improve or stay stable
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Many more will be able to manage pain, fatigue, complications and medication more effectively
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They will have more confidence in seeking the right health and social care services for them, and gaining and retaining employment
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Many more will be better informed about their condition and will feel more confident in their relationship with health professionals
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They will be able to contribute their skills and insights towards improving health services.
To find out more about the course contact:
Louise Mabley, EPP Lead
Tel: 01922 618358
Mobile: 07884 430931
Email: louise.mabley@walsall.nhs.uk
Address: Walsall tPCT,
Bloxwich Lane,
Walsall. WS2 7JL
