Disease management programs for heart failure: Not just for the ‘sick’ heart failure population
2006; Elsevier BV; Volume: 9; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.ejheart.2006.05.005
ISSN1879-0844
AutoresKenneth McDonald, Carmel Conlon, Mark Ledwidge,
Tópico(s)Cardiovascular Function and Risk Factors
ResumoAbstract The development of disease management programs has been a major advance in heart failure care, bringing about significant improvements for the heart failure population, with reduction in readmission, better use of guideline therapy and improved survival. However, at present, the majority of such programs focus their attention only on the sicker segment of this population, with little application of this important service to the broader heart failure population, where potentially benefits may be even more impressive. This has led to an imbalance in the care of patients with heart failure, where aspects of management such as regular structured review and education are preferentially given to the group at the later stages of the natural history of the syndrome. This paper argues for a far wider application of the disease management program concept in heart failure care so as to bring the benefits of specialist care, patient education and follow‐up to patients at an earlier stage in the natural history of heart failure.
Referência(s)