Disease Management

Most cases of deaths today are caused by diseases related to chronic disease. While treatment has been provided, it has never been taken into account on how to lessen the growth of this chronic ailment. However, new strategies and methods have been shown to help these people manage their chronic disease to maintain a healthier body.

Disease management is a new healthcare program worked by most professional medical workers that teaches patients who suffers from chronic health conditions to manage their disease. The patients are taught to take responsibility to understand and to take care of their selves to avoid worsening of their health. It is a special system of frequent communication and coordination of healthcare centers to the population to reduce healthcare cost and to minimize the effects of chronic diseases through integrative care. Some examples of chronic conditions that is included for this type of program is patients with diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and kidney failure. In addition, patients can also ask advice to medical professionals to on a daily basis to remain healthy as possible everyday.

The reason why disease management has been implemented is to improve the quality of patient’s care to himself. Insurance companies also support this program to control health cost. While people could still manage for their health, the insurance company could still save money.

For instance, is a diabetes patient. He can have his disease management by teaching him to take note of his blood sugar level in a healthy range and how to cook foods which are sugar-free or low in sugar.

The rate of progress of disease management will vary according to what disease is being treated. A recommended lifestyle changes and habits may be given depending on the particular chronic health condition. This can be on someone’s diet, stress reduction and exercise. Patients are also given ways on how to monitor the symptoms of their disease, how to take their medication, and how to prevent of complications may occur.

The main purpose of disease management is to encourage and empower patients who have a chronic disease. This program provides information on how to manage the symptoms of their conditions to stop making them feel depressed and to let them be in control of their situation. This program intends to improve the quality of life most especially to patients with no cure.

And again, another purpose of disease management is to lessen the cost of insurance and healthcare to people with chronic disease. This will lessen hospitalization, medical expenses, and home care needs for patients and thus, saves money.

Some critics believe that disease management program is not effective. They believe that there has not been a concrete conclusive proof that the patients who underwent the program of the preventive steps in improving or reducing the symptoms and risks of their conditions is concretely shown. They also believe that there has no improvement regarding the lowering of healthcare cost in the patients future life.