Quality & Patient Safety

Patient self-care for chronic illnesses may be safe alternative

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, April 18, 2007

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In an essay in the April 17 Public Library of Science Medicine, researchers suggest that patients can achieve better results when they manage their own care instead of pursuing regular physician and hospital visits for some types of care.

 

As an example in contrast, the researchers pointed to the treatment of diabetes and hypotension. With diabetes, patients are empowered to monitor and treat themselves with glucose meters and instructions for adjusting insulin treatment. For hypotension, however, patients must routinely visit a medical professional to check their blood pressure and adjust medications.

 

Developing toolkits for patients empower them to take an active role in care, lowers healthcare costs, and in many cases has led to improved outcomes, according to the researchers.



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