To date there has been considerably more research relating to the CDSMC than the PSMP. Given that people living with HIV/AIDS experience many of the same problems as other people living with other severe long-term conditions, and that the core of the two courses is the same, one would expect similar gains.

The CDSMC has been subjected to research in a wide number of countries and contexts. Even when different research methods are used the results seem to be remarkably consistent with general improvements in both the medical and social effects of conditions:

“The accumulated research is impressive and sufficient to be able to describe the Chronic Disease Self-Management Course (CDSMC) and the Arthritis Self-Management Course (ASMC) as evidence based self-management courses.”

Supporting Expert Patients, LMCA

Typical outcomes of attending a self-management course which are supported by most studies include:

1.     Slowing of physical deterioration: Participants’ physical status deteriorates slower than would have been expected following attendance.

2.     Improved Self-Efficacy: Scores developed to measure Self-Efficacy show a marked improvement. People take active steps in respect of their health and re-engage with activities they wish to pursue

3.     Improvements to psychological state: There is a decrease in levels of depression and anxiety.

4.     Increased use of health promoting techniques: Not only do people adopt techniques such as exercise or relaxation they persevere with them. Long-term studies show a good proportion of participants still using techniques 12 months, and even four years, after their course.

5.     Reduction in visits to doctors: While in some instances there was an increase in visits as participants sought to deal with issues raised, 12 months after participation a pattern of reducing visits is apparent.

6.     Improved communication with doctors: This improvement occurs whether measured by course participant or clinician report.

To date published evidence related to UK experience is confined to that published in “From Patient to Person: The Living Well Report” – Jane Cooper, LMCA. This fully supports the typical results outlined above and suggests that self-management programmes can be effective in a UK context.

The much larger study being conducted by the EPP has yet to be published however some interim results have been reported at conferences. These suggest that for participants in EPP courses:

• 10% more take medicine as prescribed.
• 30% feel better prepared for consultations with health professionals.
• 30% show significant reductions in feelings of depression.
• 30% feel they have more energy.
• 20-30% felt pain, breathlessness and tiredness less intense.
• 30-50% were more confident they would not let pain, breathlessness, tiredness or depression interfere with life.
• 9% fewer visits to GPs.
• 6% fewer visit to A&E.
• 9% fewer visits to outpatients.
• 15% increase in visits to pharmacists.