Optimising the Patient??s Role

Abstract

The critical role of the patient and family caregivers in disease management is often overlooked or undervalued. Self-management of symptoms, lifestyle, behaviour and adherence to provider recommendations in general often make the difference between success and failure of disease management, particularly with chronic conditions. Since such management requires continuing and consistent behaviours, success in achieving self management is enhanced when 2 steps are added to traditional education, i.e. counselling and support efforts. By tracking the impact that patients’ self management has on their own quality of life, sponsors of disease management initiatives can identify the ways in which patients themselves benefit, in addition to how sponsors benefit. In addition, by reminding patients of what they have gained in terms of quality of life, sponsors can reinforce patient adherence and thereby the continuing success of their initiatives. Only by enlisting the cooperation of patients, and by fully recognising the impact their cooperation has on their own lives, can sponsors achieve the full potential of disease management.