Chronic disease GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements
Chronic disease management enables a doctor to work with you in coordinating the care of a chronic condition.
What is a chronic disease?
A chronic disease is classified as a medical condition that has been present for at least six months or one that is terminal.
They can appear at any stage of life but are more common as we age. Chronic disease can pose an immediate threat to health, such as heart disease or like diabetes, may require management over a long period of time. Some may be a life long disease yet not be a threat to life, for example arthritis.
The list of chronic disease is extensive, however here are some of the more common conditions:
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Care of Patients with Cancer
- Diabetic Care
- Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
- Chronic Pain
- Musculoskeletal Conditions
If you have a chronic medical condition you may be eligible for a management plan from your doctor. There are 2 types of management plans, a GP Management Plan and a Team Care Arrangement.
A GP Management Plan is an agreed action plan between you and your GP that takes into account your health care needs, what your doctor will provide and what you will need to do.
A Team Care Arrangement is applicable when ongoing treatment is required from a multidisciplinary team. This means that treatment for your condition will require your doctor and at least two other health professionals.
Other allied health services involved
Depending on your needs this team could include any of the following allied health professionals or health/care providers:
- Aboriginal health works and practitioners
- Asthma Educators
- Audiologists
- Chiropractors
- Diabetes Educators
- Dieticians
- Exercise Physiologists
- Mental Health Workers
- Occupational Therapists
- Optometrists
- Osteopaths
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Prosthetists
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Speech Pathologists
Both of these management plans can be useful for recording detailed, accurate and up to date information about your condition and treatment.
It can also empower those with a chronic condition to take responsibility for their care and identify things that can help meet their treatment goals.
These services will assist the goals set by you and your doctor for achieving optimum health and wellbeing, while helping to minimise the impact of any chronic conditions.
Even for those who do not qualify for either of the above chronic disease management plans, there is still value in being assessed by your GP to determine your level of health.
More information regarding Chronic Disease Management can be found online at the Department of Health website here.
If you would like to discuss your situation further please call our friendly reception staff on (07) 4804 5680 or make a booking here online via the appointments page.
You may also wish to view the full list here of medical centre services provided by Affinity Family Medical.