Prevalence of chronic disease in Australia
The prevalence of chronic disease is increasing in Australia, almost 9 in 10 of deaths in 2020 were impacted by major chronic diseases.
According to the AIHW, the 10 main chronic diseases that Australians encounter are arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, mental health conditions, and osteoporosis.
Due to this, our general practice and healthcare system bear an enormous responsibility in the care and direction of people with chronic diseases.
Healthcare providers can better manage chronic conditions by tapping into advanced tools and technologies that can simplify the process and provide valuable insights. Clinimetrix, a practice intelligence software, delivers an innovative solution that brings data-driven approaches to the forefront of chronic disease management.
Challenges of GP practices today
General practice has the potential to offer quality care for several major chronic diseases as well as provide continuity of care and management of comorbidities. While the quality of care for patients with chronic diseases is improving in general practice, challenges prohibit many practices from meeting optimal standards.
Factors contributing to the gap between optimal and current practice:
1.Lack of effective multidisciplinary team care in general practice
General practice, as the first point of contact for many patients, plays a crucial role in coordinating care. This is particularly important for patients facing complex medical conditions. The management of these conditions requires a collaborative and unified approach, particularly in today’s healthcare system. The lack of an integrated multidisciplinary team in general practice can result in fragmented patient care, missed opportunities for early intervention, and less-than-ideal health outcomes. It’s also important to note that patients experiencing chronic health conditions have limited capacity to organise and act on multiple avenues of care. When collaborative care is offered and referrals are followed in-house, there’s more chance the patient will follow through with the referral.
2. Improving patient adherence to treatment plans
The intensifying burden of chronic illness has incited a major reform to primary health care in Australia. However, according to research conducted by the RACGP patients believe their illness is permanent and progressive, and that GPs had minimal influence over their prognosis. They preferred to speak with their GPs about serious problems rather than preventive care, and a majority of patients did not see a need for care planning.
Most patients fail to comprehend the idea of Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) planning as a useful intervention. Some viewed care plans to be a health record, some an action plan, and others a record of doctors’ appointments. Those who understood did not believe they would personally benefit from the planned care.
3. Lack of data and performance feedback
Limited access to data and performance feedback can hinder healthcare providers’ ability to assess and improve their practices. Without access to key data and the ability to create detailed reports based on that data, general practice has a hard time keeping patients with chronic diseases from falling through the cracks of care. Analytics and the opportunity to access patient lists based on clinical diagnosis and treatments allow practice managers to create campaigns and easily follow up on people who require care the most.
Four solutions to delivering optimal care for chronic disease patients in general practice
Investment in data plays a significant role in helping general practice deliver optimal care to patients, particularly those who face complex medical conditions. Clinimetrix is proven to improve health outcomes for patients with chronic disease while streamlining the internal processes to deliver that care.
Proven data-driven initiatives have a substantial impact in:
1.Effective patient communication
By providing easy-to-understand explanations, customising plans according to the individual, and employing visual aids, patients can gain a better understanding of the advantages of adhering to a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan.
Strengthening patients’ understanding of their condition, establishing achievable objectives, and engaging family members or caregivers in this education can improve patients’ commitment and motivation toward treatment.
The implementation of evidence-based treatments enables patients to actively participate in their care, resulting in enhanced chronic disease management and better health outcomes.
2. Personalised patient care
Data collection and analysis enable healthcare providers to gain an in-depth understanding of each patient’s health history, risk factors, and treatment responses. This information allows for personalised care plans tailored to the individual’s specific needs, improving both treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.
3. Evidence-based decision making
Evidence-based care in general practice utilises the best available treatments together with a general practitioner’s expertise, and the patient’s value and preferences in health care decisions.
By utilising data-driven insights, healthcare providers can offer treatments and interventions with proven effectiveness; coupled with engagement and communication with relevant stakeholders including staff, patients, family, and carers, this can lead to better patient outcomes.
4. Chronic disease management
Utilising data analytics enables the identification of high-risk patients who need close monitoring and proactive interventions in chronic disease management. Consistent data tracking allows healthcare providers to identify early changes in a patient’s condition, preventing aggravations and reducing hospitalisations.
See how Clinimetrix was able to reduce hospitalisations and improve patient health in one of our own clinics.
https://www.clinimetrix.com.au/blogs/improve-your-patient-health-outcomes
Learn more about how Clinimetrix can help you achieve these goals today.
Click here to contact our friendly team for a demo today or call us on (02) 7809 6709.
Ref:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/health-conditions-disability-deaths/chronic-disease/overview
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