Chronic disease pathway - role of active and supportive treatment

Question 1

What is supportive care. (2)

Answer 1

Care that helps patient and family to cope with condition and its treatment (from prediagnosis
through diagnosis and treatment
to cure, continuing illness or death
into bereavement).
Helps patient maximise benefits of treatment and to live as well as possible with effects of disease.

Question 2

How important is supportive treatment.

Answer 2

As important as diagnosis and treatment.

Question 3

Where does supportive treatment fit in.

Answer 3

Throughout the disease process. (from diagnosis, and throughout treatment).
Supportive treatment becomes more important as the disease progresses death.

Question 4

What is involved in the active treatment of CKD. (5)

Answer 4

Dialysis. 
Transplant. 
Access. 
Surgery. 
Antibiotics.

Question 5

What is involved in the supportive treatment of CKD. (4)

Answer 5

Pain control.
Symptom control.
Psycho-social support.
Awareness of patient goals and concerns.

Question 6

Management of all frail older patients with chronic disease is _______care

Answer 6

Palliative.

Question 7

What aspects of care are important to keep in mind when providing supportive care. (4)

Answer 7

Communication with patient and family (Patient and family expectations and wishes, symptoms and pain control, realistic prognosis).
Awareness of patient being near end of life.
Advance care planning
Appropriate active interventions, e.g., antibiotics, dialysis, ventilation – and discussing withdrawal where appropriate – or not starting.

Question 8

When should you introduce supportive treatment for a patient with chronic disease.

Answer 8

When the chronic condition is first diagnosed. (make the patient aware of disease progression and what can be done to slow it down/cope with it).