What Is Chronic Care Management?

Millions of people visit the doctor seeking treatment for acute problems, such as injuries, viruses, or other short-term issues. Then they move on with their lives. Others aren’t so lucky.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 129 million Americans have at least one chronic health condition that will affect them for years to come. The top five causes of death are due to some form of preventable chronic illness.

Residents in and around Mableton, Georgia, looking for answers on how to deal with long-term medical problems can find them courtesy of nurse practitioner Dr. Temeka Johnson and her team here at Quality Health Source. 

What’s chronic care management?

Chronic care management is for people with at least two medical conditions expected to last six months or longer or conditions that might progress rapidly and severely.

At Quality Health Source, our chronic care management program uses medication, lifestyle counseling, and other medical services to help you better manage and live with your conditions. We want to maximize your quality of life and minimize your time in the hospital.

Common chronic conditions 

Chronic medical problems we commonly manage at Quality Health Source include:

• Chronic illnesses

• Types 1 and 2 diabetes

• Thyroid disease

• Autism

• Cardiovascular illnesses

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• High cholesterol

• Respiratory illnesses

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 

• Asthma
• Types of arthritis

• Osteoarthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Psoriatic arthritis

• Gout

• Sleep disorders

• Obstructive sleep apnea 

• Cognitive illnesses
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Mood disorders

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Infectious diseases

• HIV

• AIDS

Chronic care management services

At Quality Health Source, your chronic care management plan might include:

Physical examinations

Many of the staples of a regular examination, like blood pressure testing, electrocardiograms, and heart rate tests are helpful, as they provide baseline information about your current health. We might follow up with blood and urine tests.

Medical imaging

Getting an accurate picture of your chronic condition is essential. X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and other imaging tests allow us to assess the extent of the problem to create an appropriate management plan.

Medications and lifestyle counseling

Once we’ve completed our assessments, we can make medication recommendations that can improve your condition or slow its progression. We can also recommend ways to replace unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones, such as making dietary suggestions. 

As necessary, our team can coordinate care with a specialist.

If you’re dealing with a chronic illness, you don’t have to handle it alone. Schedule a visit with Dr. Johnson and her team at Quality Health Source today to get the help you need. Call the office or book your appointment online today. Telehealth appointments are available.