Beyond Fighting Fires and Chasing Tails? Chronic Illness Care Plans in Ontario, Canada
Ann Fam Med Russell et al.
6: 146
The Article in Brief
Beyond Fighting Fires and Chasing Tails? Chronic Illness Care Plans in Ontario, Canada
Grant Russell, MBBS, FRACGP, MFM, PhD
, and colleagues
Background This study evaluates the impact of a holistic, patient-centered, and pragmatic approach to improve the management of chronic disease in Canadian family practices. In particular, it aims to understand the experience of family physicians and patients in an initiative in which they jointly develop patient care plans.
What This Study Found Participating doctors generally viewed the patient-centered, planned care initiative as time intensive and unrealistic for widespread implementation. Participants varied in their enthusiasm for the program.
Implications
- Implementing comprehensive, patient-centered chronic illness care management involves more than organizational change. Doctors’ attitudes and professional culture should be considered in attempts to improve the delivery of chronic illness care in primary care practices.
- Additional methods are needed to support both doctors and patients in transitioning to a collaborative and proactive approach to managing chronic illness.
