Fundamentals of EAP Core Technology: Roles and Responsibilities of Clinicians

In the last decade, disease management (DM) programs have proliferated throughout our healthcare system. These programs most commonly target chronic conditions that include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), and diabetes. Among other broader scope responsibilities, DM care managers are expected to help the patient increase their knowledge and acceptance of the condition, improve treatment adherence and embrace a healthy lifestyle (i.e., smoking cessation, weight loss, healthy diet, exercise, stress management, sleep hygiene), increase self-efficacy and motivation in managing the condition, and establish consistent self-regulation. Achievement of these goals is the backbone of a DM program’s return on investment, as a program is only as successful as its members’ improvements in these areas. While these programs show great promise, care managers can find themselves ill-equipped to achieve these goals with their patients, thereby negatively impacting outcomes. This course is designed to address this need and reviews the most effective methods for behavior change. Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, Social Cognitive Theory, and cognitive-behavioral techniques are discussed with an emphasis on application to chronic disease. Care managers are left with a repertoire of assessment and intervention strategies to promote change and optimize outcomes.