6 Principles of Chronic Care

From diabetes and high blood pressure to Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons’ disease, chronic illnesses plague more than 133 million people throughout the United States. 

In addition to the pain and disabling aspect of an ongoing condition, managing your own care heaps stress and complications on top of an already challenging situation.

If you have a chronic condition and are tired of dealing with multiple doctors, appointments, medications, and symptoms, we can help. Our team of chronic care specialists at Healthy Life Family Medicine in Goodyear, Arizona, provides you with comprehensive attention that covers the entire spectrum of your health care needs so you can concentrate on getting better. 

Here’s what you get when you entrust your chronic care to us.

1. Team work

One of the chief complaints among those suffering from chronic conditions is the frustration of trying to manage a large care team, especially when it includes professionals and specialists from various facilities and fields.

We act as a liaison between you and your home health care team, as well as other specialists involved in your case like social workers, mental health counselors, surgeons, and home health care providers. 

We take the stress and pressure off you so you’re the focus of attention, not the hub of communication.

2. Great expectations

We know how frustrating it is to have to reintroduce yourself to a new physician and retell your story. At Healthy Life Family Medicine, we make sure that all your regularly scheduled appointments are with the same provider so you can relax, develop a relationship, and rest assured that your doctor knows you and your condition well. 

With chronic care services, there’s no more need to recite a list of medications and remember details from the past. You can expect excellent continuity of care. 

3. Thorough health care

Because we know you so well, we have an intimate understanding of your entire health history. This means we’re in a perfect position to see how one condition may exacerbate another or how a certain medication may be linked to a symptom of a different condition. 

With one main provider coordinating with all other providers, you can rest assured that we won’t miss a thing, we’ll screen you for every relevant condition and nothing unnecessary, and that you’ll receive quality preventive care as well chronic care.

4. Holistic care

Specialists are great when you have a heart condition or a brain injury, for example. But specialists don’t have the advantage of knowing you as a whole person. 

At Healthy Life Family Medicine, we do more than read your medical chart. We take into account everything that makes you you and everything that may affect your health, even if it’s not obvious. 

We find out about your work and home environment, daily routine, habits, diet and exercise routine, stress levels, relationship challenges, and anything else that might impact your health so we can address your chronic condition holistically.

5. Emergency care

Our chronic care team strives to manage your condition and symptoms so that you can avoid an emergency, but if one should occur we’re here for you. 

Our records about every aspect of your health are recorded in detail, including our holistic assessments, notes about interconnected conditions, and all your medications. 

There’s no need for you or a loved one to remember these important facts, as they’re all available to your emergency care team electronically if needed. We’re available as a resource for you and other providers from the time you call 911 to the time you return home.

6. 24/7 access

Chronic conditions can’t tell time, so we don’t put any limits on your access to us. If you experience a problem on the weekend or in the middle of the night, just call us. We’re here to help you with advice, prescription renewals, or urgent care around the clock. 

This may mean you occasionally see or talk to one of our team members who isn’t your primary care physician, but we all work together as a tight team and can easily provide coordinated care even in an emergency.

Chronic conditions are challenging enough to deal with; don’t add the stress of coordinating your own health care as well. To find out more about our unique chronic care service, contact us to schedule a consultation today.