9 Strategies for Managing a Chronic Illness
The latest available data about chronic medical conditions shows that approximately 133 million Americans, or about 40 percent of the population, suffer from at least one chronic illness. These chronic illnesses include conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and cancer. The number continues to trend upward as the US population ages. The good news is that patients today have more choices to manage and direct their care actively. Patients who see a provider relationship as a partnership have increased trust and are more receptive to suggestions about lifestyle choices and other proactive ways to improve their overall health.
1. Leveraging Technology:
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a technology that allows for the daily capture of a patient's vital signs and transmits that data to a central location where medical professionals can monitor it in real time. RPM measures vitals such as oxygen saturation, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. For patients suffering from chronic illnesses, the RPM technology has proven invaluable for allowing clinicians to respond quicker to avoid preventable hospitalizations.
2. Medication Management:
Medication nonadherence is one of the leading causes of hospitalization, and a pharmacy consult is an effective preventative tool. A consult is a comprehensive evaluation of all prescribed medications a patient is taking. In addition, the consult provides education on each medication's purposes and proper dosing requirements. The review also seeks to eliminate redundancy through de-prescribing.
3. Team Approach:
Choose a healthcare provider that utilizes a team approach emphasizing prevention in managing chronic conditions. A team lends itself well to proactive care where expertise and resources are customized for the individual patient. Continuity of care can be further enhanced with in-house specialists available for immediate consultation when required.
4. Access Anywhere:
The healthcare model of taking time off from work or traveling miles to spend hours in a doctor's office waiting for your appointment is rapidly declining. Patients today have better options like receiving healthcare in the comfort of their homes, on their schedule through onsite visits from a nurse practitioner or telehealth visits. With telehealth, you can access a medical professional from anywhere in the world.
5. Seek Focused Specialties:
A focused approach to a disease like diabetes provides treatment and patient education about successfully controlling the disease and can significantly impact the quality of life. Knowledge is power, and the more a patient is involved in their care, the better chance they will have to meet their goals. A diabetic specialty team can involve multiple medical professionals like dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, cardiac specialists, and chronic care management representatives.
6. Regularly Scheduled Visits:
Just like a person trying to get into better shape and hires a personal trainer, a patient with a chronic illness can benefit from someone working alongside them to achieve their healthcare goals. If the patient is being seen regularly and encouraged to reinforce their progress, they are more likely to succeed.
7. Treating the Whole Patient:
Living with a chronic condition is hard enough. Still, many elderly patients have the additional struggle associated with the effects of loss – the loss of a spouse, friend, or even their independence. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can assist patients with chronic illnesses to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life through positive psychosocial outcomes.
8. Education:
It is always a good plan to stay abreast of the latest research and advances concerning your disease by utilizing books, websites, and workshops to better understand your condition. In addition, self-management skills, including problem-solving, goal-setting, and effective communication with healthcare providers, can all prove beneficial.
9. Immunization:
Stay up-to-date with all vaccines, as chronic illness can increase infection vulnerability. Take advantage of your annual wellness exam- covered 100 percent by Medicare- and get regular screenings for any complications associated with your condition.
"Your Health" is an extensive network of Primary Care Providers, Specialists, Healthcare Coaches, wellness programs, and educational opportunities dedicated to providing patients with the best possible healthcare. "Your Health" practices Value-based care based on measurable positive patient outcomes. There has never been a better time to commit to improving your health. Make the call today and put our skilled and dedicated professionals on your healthcare team to start living your best and healthiest life.