Developing Effective Disease State Management Programs

Abstract

Disease state management programs, while still relatively new, are becoming a trend among home health care agencies. The article discusses components of a successful disease state management program, which include focusing on the entire population, addressing all phases of the disease, using well-designed clinical pathways, employing highly qualified and well-trained nurses, providing effective patient education, encouraging active participation by the patient, developing a positive relationship between the physician and nurse and between the nurse and case manager, and telephone intervention. The article also covers controversies about disease state management programs and how to address them.