University of Tasmania, Australia

This project built capacity through an inter-professional learning (IPL) package for multiple disciplines working with people with chronic conditions.  Through collaboration, a commitment to patient-centred care (PCC) and chronic disease self-management support (CDSMS) developed capacity through attitude-shift, knowledge, skills, respect for and understanding of the common and complementary or discipline-specific skills of team members in facilitating and supporting chronic disease self-management (CDSM).  The IPL consisted of a three-part educational tool:

1. A common or generic component addressing the philosophy, strategies and skills to implement PCC, CDSM and CDSMS;
2. An information technology IPL component to support patient and professional.  This component incorporates a web portal allowing mentor support for health professionals.
3. An adaptable framework for complementary condition specific information and management guidelines.

As a component of the project, a free training pack was developed  to assist the professional and volunteer working within the health care environment to learn, develop and share multiple practical communication skills to support patient centred care.  Please contact Brooke.Turner@utas.edu.au for a copy of the trainer pack.