The self-management programme is a course of 5 to 6 half day sessions that encourages participants to address the whole range of challenges they face during their recuperation. Patients are encouraged to attend the course as part of their routine follow up care.
It covers:
- managing fatigue
- dealing with condition-specific problems (e.g. erectile problems, lymphoedema)
- stress management
- combating depressive reactions
- sign-posting sources of information and support
The courses employ goal-setting to promote behaviour change and confidence-building.
Participants construct a written self-care plan over the duration of the course.
Self-management programmes are run by clinical psychologists, Cancer specialist nurses and patient-tutors who have completed training for the role of course tutor.