Testing the effectiveness of the Flinders Program in supporting self-management when applied to a group education program for adults with chronic conditions.

Take Control - Live Well is a group education program consisting of 3 weekly 2-2.5 hour sessions and 1 session after 3 months of completing session 3. The program is run either face-to-face or online (i.e. no hybrid programs). Facilitators provide information on self-management principles (as per the Flinders Program for self-management of chronic conditions) and how these can incorporated into the participants' healthcare and lives. Group discussion is highly encouraged in the groups to support peer-to-peer learning. At the end of the first 2 sessions, activities are worked through which include setting up a plan for behaviour change over the following week which are then reflected on in the subsequent week's session. After the third session, participants write their own Flinders Program Care Plan which outlines a plan to reach their 6-9 month SMART goal (also set in the third session). Participant attendance will be recorded using Canberra Health Service's Digital Health Record as per usual care. Attendance and 'drop-out' rates will be analysed during data analysis. This is a single centre feasibility/acceptability study using a mixed methods approach (both quantitative and qualitative measures). As per usual care, trained facilitators will run the “Take Control – Live Well” program either online or face-to-face from March to November 2024. Facilitators are either allied health or nursing professionals working in the Community Care Program at Canberra Health Services who have completed training in the Flinders Program and Take Control - Live Well program delivery. Participants will self-select into the study and, after informed consent is received, be invited to complete anonymous surveys prior to starting the program, after 3-weeks, after the 3-month session and after 6-months. Interviews will be carried out by the principal investigator after the 3-month session.