With the growth of the number of Americans living with multiple chronic conditions, it is critical to seek ways of improving their care while at the same time cutting the cost of healthcare in the treatment and management of these conditions. The cost of treating these patients has increased over the years (Vogeli et al., 2007). In this case, self-management is the model of care proposed to cut costs and ensure quality care for patients with multiple chronic conditions (Kim Kuebler, 2015). Under the self-management model, patients are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to ensure that they meet their health care needs even outside the hospital setting. Reduction in disease complications and exacerbations has been achieved where effective self-management practices are adopted.
The adoption of technology is among the ways of ensuring successful self-management practices. Health information technology (HIT) has been increasingly used in health care settings in the country, with great potential for improving care and managing chronic conditions (Jean-Jacques et al., 2012). However, the question about the impact of the technology on disparity is a question that emerges in research. It is a reality that some segments of the population might not have access to the technology, which means there is potential to be left out of the self-management practice. Hence, to improve the quality of care to the individuals with multiple chronic conditions, it is critical that the policy makers ensure pervasive access to technology and adequate training and education on how to use the technological devices. Evidently, it will be less costly to provide technological capacity than to use the health care resources in the management of the conditions.
References
Jean-Jacques, M., Persell, S. D., Thompson, J. A., Hasnain-Wynia, R., & Baker, D. W. (2012). Changes in disparities following implementing a health information technology-supported quality improvement initiative. Journal of general internal medicine, 27(1), 71-77.
Kim Kuebler, D. N. P. (2015). Federal initiatives in self-management for patients with multiple chronic conditions: Implications for the doctor of nursing practice. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, 8(1), 139.
Vogeli, C., Shields, A.E., Lee, T.A., Gibson, T.B., Marder, W.D., Weiss, K.B., and Blumenthal, D. (2007). Multiple Chronic Conditions: Prevalence, Health Consequences, and Implications for Quality, Care Management, and Costs, J Gen Intern Med 22(Suppl 3):391–5
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