The Catalonian Expert Patient Programme for Chagas Disease: An Approach to Comprehensive Care Involving Affected Individuals

J Immigr Minor Health. 2017 Feb;19(1):80-90. doi: 10.1007/s10903-016-0345-y.

Abstract

The Catalonian Expert Patient Programme on Chagas disease is a initiative, which is part of the Chronic Disease Programme. It aims to boost responsibility of patients for their own health and to promote self-care. The programme is based on nine sessions conducted by an expert patient. Evaluation was focusing in: habits and lifestyle/self-care, knowledge of disease, perception of health, self-esteem, participant satisfaction, and compliance with medical follow-up visits. Eighteen participants initiated the programme and 15 completed it. The participants were Bolivians. The 66.7 % of them had been diagnosed with chagas disease in Spain. The 100 % mentioned that they would participate in this activity again and would recommend it to family and friends. The knowledge about disease improve after sessions. The method used in the programme could serve as a key strategy in the field of comprehensive care for individuals with this disease.

Keywords: Chagas disease; Chronic disease; Comprehensive care; Expert patient.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bolivia / ethnology
  • Chagas Disease / ethnology*
  • Chagas Disease / psychology
  • Chagas Disease / therapy*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / ethnology*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Compliance / ethnology
  • Patient Education as Topic / organization & administration*
  • Patient Satisfaction / ethnology
  • Perception
  • Self Care / methods*
  • Self Concept
  • Spain / epidemiology