Commentary: A New Model for Chronic Care to Improve Patient's Skill

Abstract

© 2018 Dunn P. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. More effective treatment and increased survival from acute cardiometabolic conditions, such as heart attack and stroke, and an aging population has resulted in more people living with chronic conditions, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity1. With increased incentives to focus on the long-term outcomes of patients, we believe that there is an even greater need for more effective models for chronic care, both in research and in clinical practice2. Current approaches for increasing patient involvement range from low tech and low touch to high tech and high touch interventions that are delivered inconsistently and ineffectively. In cardiovascular disease and diabetes these approaches include formal and informal educational methods, print and digital media, apps and wearables that track activity blood pressure, weight, and glucose, and disease management programs such as cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes self-management programs3. Ultimately, high impact models are challenging to deliver in a clinical setting due to operational, resource, and reimbursement challenges.