Understanding the Importance of Chronic Disease Management Programs

1. Understanding the Importance of Chronic Disease Management Programs A chronic condition is an illness that lasts for more than six months and often leads to your health gradually getting worse. You will need to have a range of medical treatments and follow a healthy lifestyle if you have a chronic condition. Some of the common chronic conditions in Australia include diabetes, lower back pain, asthma, arthritis, coronary heart disease, dementia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic Disease Management Program You may be eligible to receive five bulk billed visits to an allied health practitioner under the Medicare chronic disease management scheme if you have at least one chronic medical condition and complex care needs as determined by your general practitioner. Under this scheme, the qualified health professionals will educate you on creating a healthy lifestyle and provide them with strategies to aid in the treatment of your condition. You can ask your general practitioner about the chronic disease management scheme to see if you are eligible. Cardiovascular Disease Management The primary causes of ill health in Australia are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke that accounts for more than 40% of all deaths and 26% of all diseases. The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing arranged in 2004 to have a National Heart, Stroke, and Vascular Health Strategies Group provide a blueprint for the purpose of improving the cardiovascular health of Australian people. The blueprint was intended for health organizations in Australia to drive significant improvements in health services. Moreover, it also intended to deliver better health outcomes through chronic disease management programs.

2. The key components of the prevention and early intervention of cardiovascular disease are to maintain an active lifestyle and healthy diet. In broad terms, these chronic disease management programs will aim to: ü Enhance the role of the individual in managing their own cardiovascular health ü Progressively reduce the inequalities in health outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease ü Promote consistency in preventative practices ü Support the circulation and uptake of optimal preventative practices, and ü Improve the care and management of cardiovascular disease Under this scheme, a team of health care professionals will tailor their treatment programs for helping you improve your fitness, lower blood pressure, and reduce body & cholesterol. Diabetes Management The type II diabetes management program is fully bulk billed under Medicare for any person with type II diabetics who has a valid referral from their general practitioner. It is precisely designed and developed for people who are suffering from type I and II diabetes and are looking to reduce their level of medication intake. Lower Back Pain Management One of the major parts of the prevention and treatment of lower back pain is physical exercise. An important method in rehabilitating a back injury is core training. Correct core training of how to brace your spine is critical for the prevention of re-injury and to reduce pain.

3. Under the lower back pain management program, the qualified practitioners work with you to create a personalised treatment plan for you. This chronic disease management program aims to reduce muscular tension in affected areas through stretching and range of motion (ROM) exercises. Osteoporosis Management It is important to understand that different weight-bearing exercises are immensely beneficial in the prevention of osteoporosis. During the weight-bearing exercises, the actions of the muscles put stress on the bones that help to maintain bone mass. In addition, these exercises can actually slow the decline of bone mass that highlights the importance of exercise as a preventative measure. Qualified professionals will develop an exercise program with appropriate exercises and intensity levels for the patient specifically, rather than a generic exercise program.