We at Colorado HealthSite are not surprised that the top-down strategies for managing chronic conditions have resulted in increased costs. Such strategies encourage patients to be passive consumers of health care services. By definition, however, the chronically ill are not going to be cured by a miracle drug or treatment. Much medical research shows that those who are most successful in managing their chronic illness have undertaken to research their illness and to speak to and learn coping skill from others who have similar illnesses. These patients are not only among the most successful in their own rehabilitation, but they also are more compliant because they understand the purposes of the drugs and treatment they are prescribed.
Patient noncompliance is a frequent stumbling block to successful rehabilitation.
Those of us who are chronically ill need information and education. At a minimum, that information should include facts about our illness, explanations of treatment options, and descriptions of our medications, including side effects and interactions with other drugs. We expect help from our health care providers in learning about our conditions. Equally important, however, to live successfully with a chronic illness, we need management skills and emotional support as we learn to cope with our long term illnesses. Even here, our doctors are in a good position to help us learn to cope since they have more experience than any one patient in the management of chronic illness.