Chronic Conditions
When chronic conditions impact your life, your doctor can help you manage your health. At Healthy Haven Family Clinic we take a holistic approach to chronic disease management. Doctors with a special interest in chronic conditions will work closely with you to develop a personalised plan to address your needs.
Understanding Chronic Disease
Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions (greater than 6 months) that require ongoing lifestyle adjustments, medical care and monitoring. These conditions impact your overall health and wellbeing and often your enjoyment of life.
Chronic conditions commonly treated at our clinic:
Arthritis
Asthma
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Depending on your eligibility you may be able to access a GP Management Plan. This helps GP's better coordinate your care with other providers, and gives patients with chronic conditions access to subsided treatment.
Chronic Conditions we can help with
Arthritis
Arthritis
Treatment and management of joint symptoms that cause pain and difficulty in daily activities.
Asthma
Asthma
Diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of asthma for patients of all ages.
Heart
Disease
Heart Disease
Treatment and ongoing management of cardiovascular disease in collaboration with your specialist.
Diabetes
Diabetes
Support and management of diabetes, working closely with specialists and diabetes educator.
COPD
COPD
Coordination of care to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Arthritis
Arthritis
Treatment and management of joint symptoms that cause pain and difficulty in daily activities.
Asthma
Asthma
Diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of asthma for patients of all ages.
Heart
Disease
Heart Disease
Treatment and ongoing management of cardiovascular disease in collaboration with your specialist.
Diabetes
Diabetes
Support and management of diabetes, working closely with specialists and diabetes educator.
COPD
COPD
Coordination of care to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Arthritis
Treatment and management of joint symptoms that cause pain and difficulty in daily activities.
Asthma
Diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of asthma for patients of all ages.
Heart Disease
Treatment and ongoing management of cardiovascular disease in collaboration with your specialist.
Diabetes
Support and management of diabetes, working closely with specialists and diabetes educator.
COPD
Coordination of care to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Crafting a GP Management Plan
The creation of a GP Management Plan (GPMP) requires identification of the patient’s health and care needs. The plan then sets out what you need to manage your chronic or complex condition.
For patients with chronic conditions, a Team Care Arrangement provides access to Medicare-subsidised visits to allied health professionals. Team care arrangements help to:
- Facilitate collaboration among healthcare professionals
- Optimise care delivery
- Enhance communication
- Promote the active involvement of both the GP and the patient in managing health
Crafting a GP Management Plan
The creation of a GP Management Plan (GPMP) requires identification of the patient’s health and care needs. The plan then sets out what you need to help manage your chronic or complex condition.
For patients with chronic conditions, a Team Care Arrangement provides access to Medicare-subsidised visits to allied health professionals. Team care arrangements help to:
- Facilitate collaboration among healthcare professionals
- Optimise care delivery
- Enhance communication
- Promote the active involvement of both the GP and the patient in managing health
Team Care Arrangements
A Team Care Arrangement generally consists of the following healthcare providers participating in the patient’s continuous care:
General Practitioner
Specialists
Nurses
Allied health professionals like physiotherapists, dietitians, psychologists
Other healthcare providers
This multi-disciplinary team approach ensures continuous and seamless provision of treatment or services to the patient.
Lifestyle interventions and chronic conditions
Lifestyle significantly influences the management of chronic diseases. Risky behaviors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary living, poor diet, and obesity increase the risk of chronic diseases. However, the bright side is that achievable changes in diet and lifestyle can be instrumental in slowing the progression of chronic conditions.
Chronic conditions can greatly affect mental health, often resulting in stress, anxiety, or depression. Emotional support is pivotal in managing chronic diseases as it assists patients to adjust to their condition, alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression.
Various forms of emotional support are accessible for individuals with chronic conditions. This can include:
- Social and psychological support
- Counseling resources
- Stress-reduction techniques
Alongside emotional support, regular monitoring and adapting of treatment plans are also key in managing chronic conditions.
Lifestyle interventions and chronic conditions
Lifestyle significantly influences the management of chronic diseases. Risky behaviors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary living, poor diet and obesity increase the risk of chronic diseases. However, the bright side is that achievable changes in diet and lifestyle can be instrumental in slowing the progression of chronic conditions.
Chronic conditions can greatly affect mental health, often resulting in stress, anxiety, or depression. Emotional support is pivotal in managing chronic diseases as it assists patients to adjust to their condition, alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression.
Various forms of emotional support are accessible for individuals with chronic conditions. This can include:
- Social and psychological support
- Counseling resources
- Stress-reduction techniques
Alongside emotional support, regular monitoring and adapting of treatment plans are also key in managing chronic conditions.
Monitoring and adapting care plans
The process of managing a chronic condition is ongoing. It involves frequent reviews and modifications of treatment plans to guarantee the best possible care.
Chronic disease management plans may need to be adjusted from time to time as a result of:
Treatment side effects
Changes in illness
Co-morbidities
Financial challenges
Social support levels
Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise
Having the right support can greatly enhance the management of chronic conditions.
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We look forward to caring for you.