2011.03.13: March 13, 2011: Chile RPCV Kate Lorig developed a self-management program for those living with chronic illnesses
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2011.03.13: March 13, 2011: Chile RPCV Kate Lorig developed a self-management program for those living with chronic illnesses
Chile RPCV Kate Lorig developed a self-management program for those living with chronic illnesses
As a Peace Corps volunteer nurse, Kate Lorig worked beside the Chilean people who had little formal education. However, Lorig admired the Chilean people's health care system and considered the possibilities. "If we could train these people in Chile to do the things that they were doing, it didn't take rocket science to take a retired school teacher or somebody from the community and teach them a little bit about how to teach a six-week course," said Lorig, now a doctor of public health and director of the Patient Education Research Center at Stanford University. Lorig pursued the idea and later, at Stanford, she developed a self-management program for those living with chronic illnesses. The Utah County Health Department, Utah Arthritis program and Mountainlands Association are promoting two courses starting March 22 and April 19 based on Stanford research.
Chile RPCV Kate Lorig developed a self-management program for those living with chronic illnesses
Class discusses chronic illness
By Kimberly Michels
- Sun, 03/13/2011 - 20:23
As a Peace Corps volunteer nurse, Kate Lorig worked beside the Chilean people who had little formal education. However, Lorig admired the Chilean people's health care system and considered the possibilities.
"If we could train these people in Chile to do the things that they were doing, it didn't take rocket science to take a retired school teacher or somebody from the community and teach them a little bit about how to teach a six-week course," said Lorig, now a doctor of public health and director of the Patient Education Research Center at Stanford University.
Lorig pursued the idea and later, at Stanford, she developed a self-management program for those living with chronic illnesses. The Utah County Health Department, Utah Arthritis program and Mountainlands Association are promoting two courses starting March 22 and April 19 based on Stanford research.
Both courses continue for six weeks with one class per week. The course is free for those who have a chronic illness or live with someone who has a chronic illness.
Marla Brannum, a health education technician and an instructor for the class, said people who come to the class suffer from various illnesses such as arthritis, asthma or even cancer.
"Rather than focus on a specific condition, we focus on the broad spectrum of what the conditions can cause in your life," Brannum said.
Brannum explained those who have chronic illnesses often follow similar cycles of tension, pain, fatigue and conflicting, depressed emotions.
In the class, participants can learn how to break that cycle through goal setting, breathing exercises and learning how to effectively communicate with their doctors and family members.
"We're trying to teach them to be self-managers and to take control of their condition rather than letting their condition take control of them," Brannum said.
When Lorig created the program at Stanford, classes that focus on the broad consequences of chronic illnesses are what she had in mind to help others live a fuller life.
"If you have a chronic condition there's no way that you cannot manage," Lorig said. "Everybody with a chronic condition manages. The issue is how do you manage? Do you kind of stay home and don't do anything and feel bad all the time or do you get out and can you live life?"
Lorig herself was born with Gaucher's Disease, a rare genetic disorder.
"I've never not had a chronic disease," Lorig said. "When people say, ‘What is it like?' I have to say, ‘I have no idea because I've never not had one.'"
Lorig said she has used the program's self-management techniques in her own life. By managing, Lorig said people with chronic illnesses can do more than simply cope.
Irene Dalsing, a class attendee at one of UCHD's past Living Well with Chronic Conditions class, said she thought the class was well worth her time.
"I don't have a chronic disease but you never know in this day and age," Dalsing said.
Brannum said after the sessions, class members often send "thank you" cards and express their appreciation for the class.
"It makes a difference in their lives," Brannum said.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: March, 2011; Peace Corps Chile; Directory of Chile RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Chile RPCVs; Nursing; Nevada
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| Peace Corps: The Next Fifty Years As we move into the Peace Corps' second fifty years, what single improvement would most benefit the mission of the Peace Corps? Read our op-ed about the creation of a private charitable non-profit corporation, independent of the US government, whose focus would be to provide support and funding for third goal activities. Returned Volunteers need President Obama to support the enabling legislation, already written and vetted, to create the Peace Corps Foundation. RPCVs will do the rest. |
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
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