Better Choices, Better Health (BCBH) is an internet-based group workshop that uses content from the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). It focuses on chronic disease management, decision-making, problem-solving, and action planning. Participants log on at their convenience 2–3 times per week for a total of approximately 2 hours; participants do not need to log on simultaneously. Trained peer coaches facilitate the group dynamic and provide additional support for workshop participants. All the interactions occur through the secure web application and leverage both self-discovery and peer interactions to increase participants’ self-efficacy.

The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is an effective self-management education workshop for people with chronic health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. This program covers topics such as nutrition, appropriate exercise, appropriate use of medications, techniques to deal with problems associated with chronic disease, how to evaluate new treatments, and how to communicate effectively with family, friends, and health professionals. 

Participants demonstrated significant improvements in their ability to exercise and to perform social and household activities and displayed increased confidence in their ability to manage their condition. Participants also showed less depression, a decrease in fear, frustration, or worry about their health, and reductions in symptoms, like pain. Turnkey service offered, including facilitators, workshop administration, book fulfillment, access to a platform with a 6-week workshop and ongoing alumni community.

The Tool Kit for Active Living With Chronic Conditions is a mailed program based on the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). The program has all the same components as CDSMP in a mailed pack. Each toolkit includes a book, relaxation and exercise CDs, and tip sheets for self-management. It also includes a self-test that participants can use to decide how they should use the materials.

The Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP) was developed for people with a primary or secondary diagnosis of chronic pain. “Pain” is defined as being chronic or long term when it lasts for longer than three to six months (such as pain from arthritis), or beyond the normal healing time of an injury. The CPSMP may also benefit those who have conditions such as persistent headache, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or diabetic neuropathy and those who experience severe muscular pain due to conditions such as multiple sclerosis. 

The CPSMP is held during a 2.5-hour session once a week over a 6-week period. Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build participants’ confidence in their abilities to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. Classes are led by two trained leaders, at least one of whom has chronic pain and is not a health professional. All leaders must be certified in the CPSMP. The CPSMP can be offered by telephone, video platform, or in person. It is available in English and Spanish.

The Tool Kit for Active Living With Chronic Pain is a mailed program based on the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP). The program has all the same components as CPSMP in a mailed pack. Each toolkit includes a book, relaxation and exercise CDs, and tip sheets for self-management. It also includes a self-test that participants can use to decide how they should use the materials.

The Workplace Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (wCDSMP) is an adapted version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) originally developed at Stanford for the workplace. The primary goals and objectives for the program are (a) to improve self-management skills of employees with one or more chronic conditions, (b) to improve physical and mental health indicators of employees who participate in the program, and (c) to improve work performance and productivity indicators of employees who participate in the program. 

The program is conducted in a small group workshop during a 50–55-minute session, with two sessions held per week for 6 weeks. Classes are led by two trained CDSMP leaders, who have also attended the wCDSMP update. At least one leader has a chronic disease and is not a health professional. The classes are available in person or by video platform in both English and Spanish.