Expert Patient Programme: Has anyone... - Lung Conditions C...

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Expert Patient Programme

13 years ago•4 Replies

Has anyone done one of these Expert Patient Courses? Was it helpful, what did you learn? Curious as I am on the waiting list for one in our area and I am wondering is it worth it? 6 weeks at 2 and a half hours.

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Milestone

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Catnip13 years ago

I did the course, Milestone; we were all given a book, and then the "facilitator" (the woman in charge) put up big posters and read from them... which isn't what I expected. I am not convinced that she was a very good leader, actually.

The participants had a whole range of health problems but there wasn't that much discussion. My best recommendation is that you give it a try -- the time isn't that much, and you may well find that you benefit from it.#

However, the course did cover things like

* Finding resources

* understanding and managing common symptoms

* exercise

* communicating

* sex and intimacy

* making your wishes known/advanced directives for health care

* healthy eating

* managing medication

* making treatment decisions

* planning for the future -- fears and reality, and how to tell the difference.

Cheers

Catnip

cofdrop-UK13 years ago

Hi Milestone

I went on EPC a few years ago now. I would say it is really impossible to say what you will get from it, but you will get something postitive.

It very much depends on how good the facilitators are who are taking the course, as when they are simply brainstorming for ideas which concern peeps, they are looking for general concerns and some peeps waffle on about their own stuff and the facilitators need to keep them in check.

I found it quite surprising whatever health issue people had there concerns were very similar. They go through the list people have put forward and throw ideas in which may be of help. One week they do meditation. They talk about communicating with the medical profession and much more. A lot is just common sense but most found it to be of benefit to varying degrees.

The only thing I didn't really like is the course if very scripted.

The bestest thing ever I found from the course was I came away with two wonderful friends. One sadly passed away aged 40 a few years ago and I still miss her and the other is still one of my closest friends. So for me it turned out to be priceless.

Why not give it a go - you have nothing to lose and may find it very helpful.

XXX

cofdrop-UK13 years ago

Sory I do know how to spell their - just not sure how to edit stuff on here. XXX

cofdrop-UK13 years ago

He he know how to spell sorry too.