URAC, the nation’s leading health care accreditation and education organization, has launched the latest podcast in its “Highlights in Health” series. This episode looks at Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc. and their LifeStyle Management Program which is helping people make positive, often lifesaving changes in the way they live.
The “Highlights in Health” podcast series recognizes innovative programs that health care organizations have developed to protect and empower consumers. Pro-Change Behavior Systems’ leadership in this area was recognized in 2009 when the company received a Gold Award at URAC’s “Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards” ceremony. The podcast tells more about how this cutting-edge approach works.
“Most people know which of their behaviors are not healthy, or know they need to care for a chronic condition. However, being able to truly change a lifestyle is difficult,” said URAC President and CEO Alan P. Spielman. “There is a clear need for programs that offer guidance and counsel to those who are trying to adopt healthier behaviors. The programs that have been developed by Pro-Change fill that need.”
Chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. To manage, or sometimes even prevent, those conditions, consumers often need to make major changes in their behavior and lifestyles. The Pro-Change LifeStyle Management Program offers a suite of health behavior change programs in seven areas: smoking, weight management, stress management, depression prevention, managing cholesterol, managing high blood pressure, and exercising regularly. All of these programs are available to participants in print, on the web, and through coaches.
These comprehensive, multistage programs are based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM), which was developed more than 30 years ago by Dr. James O. Prochaska, Ph.D., a professor and director for the Cancer Prevention Research Center at the University of Rhode Island and the founder of Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc.
“The Transtheoretical Model allows us to help people no matter where they are in their path to change,” said Dr. Janice Prochaska, President and CEO of Pro-Change. “It’s very important for us to be able to reach out to those who are demoralized, who are not ready, or who have a lot of doubt about whether it all is worth it. Participants have told us that ‘this program really respects where I’m at. It gives me feedback that helps me understand what I need to do next.’”
The podcast also features commentary from both Dr. Janice Prochaska and Dr. Kerry Evers, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Research and Product Development with Pro-Change Behavior Systems.
Dr. Evers describes the Model’s five stages, which are used to determine where people are in their readiness to change. “These five stages help us determine where the person’s mindset is, and what type of information will be most helpful to move them forward. We really tailor the tools to help participants be the most successful they can be.”
The majority of the LifeStyle Management Programs have been built and evaluated through rigorous research programs and clinical trials funded through the National Institutes of Health, and all of the programs have shown significant positive outcomes. For example, the Pro-Change Smoking program has shown success rates of 22 and 26 percent for people quitting smoking long-term. With the Stress Management program Pro-Change found, of those enrolled, approximately 60 to 70 percent start managing their stress effectively within six months, and continue effective management 18 months into the program and even beyond.
Learn more about Pro-Change’s programs.