Managing chronic conditions

How good are you at following “doctor’s orders”? The American Medical Association says people don’t take medications as prescribed about half of the time … and that’s just one aspect of managing a health condition.

Among the most common chronic (ongoing) conditions in the U.S. are cancer, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But they also include some conditions you might think of as “mild”: arthritis and hypertension, for instance.

Taking an active role in managing these conditions can have major benefits for your health over time. We spoke with Nurse Practitioner Jill Schaaf, Three Rivers Health Family Internal Medicine, about the challenges of managing a chronic health condition and how she helps her patients.

What makes managing a chronic health condition difficult?

Jill explains that managing a chronic health condition can be overwhelming, requiring an understanding of medical information and an ability to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, particularly when it comes to insurance coverage and costs.

“There is always the challenge for patients to navigate a very complex system with limited health literacy,” Jill says. “Limited access to care and resources are a big challenge to patients, especially in rural areas.”

These resources include transportation to appointments, having enough money in the household budget to pay for copays and medications, and even housing and food availability.

In addition, “Patients are often asked to implement lifestyle modifications that can be overwhelming and expensive, such as weight reduction strategies, physical therapy and healthier, cleaner diets,” she says.

What strategies can help people who have one or more chronic conditions?

Jill says she tries to focus on things that patients can control directly: making healthier diet choices, increasing physical activity and reducing unhealthy habits. In her experience, patients who are overwhelmed by trying to change too many things at once tend to fall back into old habits.

“We focus on simple changes that have a big impact, that aren’t dependent on extrinsic factors such as affordability or access to transportation,” she says. “An example would be removing beverages with sugar from their diets and then building up from there while reinforcing the positive changes they’ve made.”

How can patients work well with their care team?

Patients can help their healthcare providers by arming themselves with information.

“It’s definitely helpful to be prepared for appointments with any requested information (blood pressure or blood sugar logs), as well as having a list of their current medications and medication allergies,” says Jill.

Share information with your provider about symptoms you’re experiencing and any concerns you have. Bring a list of questions to appointments, so you can be sure to cover all of them during an appointment.

“I always encourage patients to reach out if they have questions or concerns in between appointments if issues come up that cannot wait for their next scheduled visit,” adds Jill.

Another strategy is simply to keep the lines of communication open. Jill invites her patients to collaborate with her to plan their care.

“I want my patients to let me know if they feel I’m asking them to do something they they’re not capable of, so that we can come up with a strategy that we are all invested in,” she says.

Ultimately, patients who are collaborative in their care are likely to see the best results. Remember, your Beacon provider is there to help!

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