We are delighted to be one of nine Community Health Services in Victoria to have recently received funding from the Department of Human Services to do some exciting new work with our clients who have chronic or long-term medical conditions.

In the first year, the Knox Chronic Disease Project will focus on setting up some new services for people with respiratory (lung) diseases, as well as working with people with Type 2 diabetes who need to start insulin injections, new ways of supporting people with osteoarthritis and expanding our cardiac rehabilitation programs.

The project will also allow us to look at big picture issues for people with chronic medical conditions such as improving communication between different health care professionals who may be involved in your care, training our staff in new ways of supporting people with chronic conditions and supporting local self-help groups.

We have formed a Reference Group to oversee the project through its early stages and are looking for at least two people who have chronic medical conditions to join the group which will meet monthly. If you are interested, please contact Kate Gilbert, Chronic Disease Project Manager on 03 9757 6276 for more information.

The following reports from the Chronic Disease Project at Knox have been published and can be accessed from the
'Publications - Early Intervention in Chronic Disease Initiative' folder

* Knox EIiCD Implementation Plan

* Chronic Disease Prevalence and Impact in Knox – Data

* Mapping Self-Management Interventions in the Outer Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, Victoria

* Key Stakeholder Forum – Slides

WHAT IS HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY?
Health Psychologists specialise in assisting people with medical conditions. They deal with the psychological factors related to physical illness, recovery and health.

As a result of injury or illness, some people may experience; chronic pain, depression, anxiety and panic, grief and loss of function, stress, low self esteem, social problems, and difficulties making lifestyle changes and sticking to treatment recommendations. These experiences can be distressing and disruptive and they can impact people's ability to manage their health effectively.

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY AT KCHS
The Health Psychology Service at KCHS aims to provide local residents with the information, skills and support they require to overcome their difficulties and improve their health.

The service provides clients who have a long term health condition (e.g., heart disease, COPD, arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain etc) with assistance with either their psychological/emotional difficulties related to their health or assistance with health related lifestyle changes.

MYTHS ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY
There are many myths about psychology. Attending psychology sessions does NOT imply that you are crazy, does NOT imply that your medical condition or physical pain are not real, and does NOT imply that you are wrong to feel worried, stressed, or distressed. Also, psychological therapy is not just about talking, and it does NOT involve being judged.

Therapy aims to assist clients to reach their own goals by providing information, practical skills and support. So whilst the difficulties encountered as a result of illness are understandable and normal, they are distressing. It is just as reasonable to seek professional assistance for psychological difficulties as it is to seek assistance for physical illness and injury.

HOW TO ACCESS THE HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE
To access Health Psychology at KCHS you can phone directly on 9757 6200 and speak to an Intake worker. Alternatively, another health professional from KCHS or elsewhere can refer you to the service.