A preliminary study on the development of a chronic disease self-management curriculum for disability support...

Because disability support workers play a key role in supporting the healthcare of people with disabilities, it is important to educate them on how to assist persons with disabilities in managing chronic diseases. In this context, chronic disease self-management refers to empowering persons with disabilities to actively manage their own health and illnesses, with support from trained disability support workers. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the educational needs and priorities for developing a chronic disease self-management curriculum designed for disability support workers working in supportive housing.

This study utilized an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, combining focus group interviews and a survey for disability support workers working in supportive housing for people with disabilities for at least three months. First, six focus group interviews with 32 participants were conducted from July 19 to September 15, 2023. Second, a survey was conducted with 193 participants from November 20 to December 15, 2023. Educational needs analysis was conducted using a paired t-test, the Borich Needs Assessment Model, and the Locus for Focus Model.

Thirteen items were identified as high priorities for educational needs: "Representative physical activity programs according to disability type," "Physical activity based on individual functional status, disease, and preference," "Specific action strategies to promote physical activity in daily life," "Diet for overweight/obese people with disabilities," "Skin disease," "Mental disease," "Basic knowledge of disabilities," "Advanced knowledge of disabilities," "Communication," "Aggressive and challenging behavior," "Sex education," "Psychological support program for disability support workers," and "Assistive devices."

The results of this study can be used as a basis for developing a chronic disease self-management education program for disability support workers.