Implementation and quantitative evaluation of chronic disease self-management programme in Shanghai, China: randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Shanghai Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with six-month follow-up compared patients who received treatment with those who did not receive treatment (waiting-list controls) in five urban communities in Shanghai, China. Participants in the treatment group received education from a lay-led CDSMP course and one copy of a help book immediately; those in the control group received the same education and book six months later.