The Arthritis Self-Management Program

The Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) is a workshop led by two trained leaders, who have arthritis themselves, that educates individuals with rheumatic disease on techniques to manage their symptoms, communicate with health care providers, and make informed decisions. The weekly two hour workshop is held for six weeks in community locations such as churches, senior centers, and libraries. ASMP participants are active in group discussions and the support of the group is critical to the success of the workshop.

ASMP covers a number of topics, including but not limited to pain management, strength building and exercises, communication with health care providers, appropriate use of medication, and healthy eating habits. The Stanford Patient Education Research Center provides training for ASMP leaders and assists in the implementation of ASMP in communities across the United States. ASMP is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is endorsed and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Arthritis Foundation, and the American College of Rheumatology.

The Arthritis Self-Management Program is a group workshop that educates individuals with rheumatic diseases on techniques to help them manage their disease and live more active lives.

The Arthritis Self-Management Program has been successfully implemented around the world and currently receives federal funding in over ten states. Numerous research journal articles have found that ASMP participants reduced their pain, reduced their symptoms, improved their quality of life, and utilized medical services less than non-ASMP participants, with varying statistical significance. One follow-up evaluation found that improvements in self-efficacy, mood, pain and fatigue, symptom management, and communication with physicians were maintained at both 4 months and 8 years after participation.