Owning a Diagnosis, Not Letting It Own You: Promotion of Self-Efficacy

By: Robert Hand, PT, DPT, NCS, MSCS

There are times when people living with complex, neurological conditions are referred to by their diagnosis instead of who they are as a person. It is a cultural issue that can be resolved by promoting self-efficacy with all patients. Self-efficacy is a scientifically-based approach that is effective in helping people with incurable conditions develop motivation and skills to manage their condition; it can be defined as the ability to have influence over the conditions that affect our lives.

Clinicians work hard to instill confidence and belief in patients with complex diagnoses, especially in patients with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition, because the condition does not go away. At Sheltering Arms, we work hard to heal when there is no cure. It is important that you are seen as a person living with a condition, not a walking diagnosis. Ultimately, a person’s ability to manage their disease and not let it control their life is the greatest determining factor in maintaining a quality of life.

Sheltering Arms is pleased to announce our participation in an upcoming skills and independence workshop for patients who have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The Parkinson’s Disease Self Efficacy Learning Forum, or PD SELF, is currently enrolling individuals who wish to learn more about how to take ownership of their condition.

Click here to learn more about PD SELF and how to apply for this free program. If you or someone you know needs help developing self-efficacy skills, call us at (804) 764-1000 to schedule an appointment with the Medical Psychology staff at Sheltering Arms.