Implementation of a self-management programme for people with long-term medical conditions in a workplace setting

The Expert Patient Programme (EPP) is a lay-led self management intervention, delivered in the community and is designed for people with long-term medical conditions (LTMCs). It is now widely used and accepted in the UK. The aims of this qualitative study were to examine whether implementation of the lay-led EPP in a workplace setting is per- ceived to benefit employees with LTMCs and to examine their existing organisational sup- port. This article presents the results of interviews with employees before and after they attended the work-based EPP and also the views of managers that have to support staff that work with LTMCs. The results suggest that having LTMCs interferes with working life and that managers perceive that they do not have enough support to help people with LTMCs. The EPP proved to be of assistance to participants and could, with minor adaptations, be used ef- fectively in a workplace setting