Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

HEALTHEAST CARE SYSTEM– St. Paul , Minnesota
Pathways to Better Health Program

What is it?
“Pathways to Better Health” is a chronic care self-management program for all disease types. The program is a six-class self-help program in which people learn to set reasonable goals and achieve them, ask questions and communicate with their providers, and become their own best advocate. Participants report their lives have truly changed for the better. “Pathways to Better Health” is based on the Chronic Disease Self Management Program developed at Stanford University School of Medicine, one of the most researched and tested chronic health condition self-management programs in the world. In addition to offering the program to individuals, the health system trains program leaders so the classes can be offered throughout the community.  

Who is it for?
Classes are intended for people who suffer from chronic health conditions, as well as their caregivers. Financial assistance is available to help with the $40 cost of the program and the accompanying book for the class.

Why do they do it?
Health care providers often do not have the time or training to help patients deal with the day-to-day aspects of managing their chronic condition. The Pathways program augments health care providers’ practice by providing patients the skills and motivation to change their health behaviors. Patients learn ways to become more active, eat a balanced diet, control fatigue and pain, cope with despair and frustration, and communicate better with their health care providers and families. 

Impact: In 2007, 67 participants completed the course, and by October 2008, there were 90 more. It is expected that the number of participants who have completed the Pathways program will double by the end of 2008. 

Contact: Saira Sidi
Manager, Clinic Care Management/Transition Coach/Pathways to Better Health
Telephone: 651-232-5061
E-mail: ssidi@healtheast.org