Tools

Symptom Log
Keeping track of symptoms on a regular basis can help patients become more aware of their symptoms and understand how other factors in their life may be affecting symptoms. This tool also encourages patients to make healthy changes and observe how these may affect their health. This sample symptom log developed by a person with a long-term condition, who is also a nurse, is for recording symptoms and can be shared with health care providers.

Doc Talk Form
Patient and family advisors from the Medical College of Georgia Health System developed this simple form to help patients and their families organize their thoughts and information in preparation for a healthcare visit. The forms are printed into notepads and are available in the reception area of ambulatory clinics.

My Shared Care Plan
My Shared Care Plan was developed in partnership with health care professionals and patients. The tool offers patients with long-term conditions and their families a way to keep track of their health and healthcare. It includes ways to identify and track goals and other information that patients and families believe will help them self-manage more effectively. My Shared Care Plan also assists people in sharing information with their health care provider.

Collaborative Self-Management Support Key to Care 
This article describes the success achieved by Mercy Clinics Inc. after teaming up with New Health Partnerships to institute the collaborative self-management support model.  The clinic reaped both financial benefits in addition to success in dealing with chronic disease treatment.  The financial benefits observed make this article an influential piece in proposing collaborative self-management as a business case.