L1.1 Introduction to Chronic Conditions

Question 1

what are the characteristics of chronic conditions?

Answer 1

1. often have long development period, which may have no symptoms
2. caused by multiple factors- often unknown
3. prolonged course that can lead to further health problems
4. may not be due to chronic disease, but are chronic health conditions e.g. visual impairment, musculoskeletal conditions
5. associated functional limitations and disability

Question 2

define ‘chronic condition’

Answer 2

a chronic condition includes any form of chronic illness, disease or symptom complex or disability

Question 3

what is the difference between acute care and chronic care?

Answer 3

acute care: short term care, QOL highly dependent on professional care, health professional generally the ‘expert’, short term recovery goals

chronic care: ongoing care, QOL dependent on client’s self management, client has more knowledge, short term goals to meet long term goals

Question 4

what are some major chronic health conditions in Australia ?

Answer 4

diabetes, dementia, asthma, COPD, cardiovascular, cancer, arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, mental health conditions and many others

Question 5

what are the contributions to chronic diease/conditions

Answer 5

• biomechanical: breakdown of bodily systems
• bio-psycho-social lifestyle factors: exercise, diet, smoking, stress
• social/structural/population: factors that shape lifestyle choices: belonging to social groups, culture, education, media, economic factors, policies, physical environments

Question 6

which groups of people are most affected by chronic disease?

Answer 6

older people, high stress, aboriginal and torres strait islanders, people w/pre-existing health conditions

Question 7

why are people with mental illness more likely to have chronic physical conditions?

Answer 7

aren’t in the optimal situation to engage w/ actions that are helpful for health (e.g. go to doctors, exercising)

Question 8

what is the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention steps?

Answer 8

primary: to prevent the onset of specific diseases via risk reduction (population or individual level)
secondary: to prevent asymptomatic disease from progressing
tertiary: to prevent further deterioration/reduce impact caused by the disease

Question 9

define ‘self management’ in regards chronic health conditions

Answer 9

self-management is the active participation by people in taking responsibility for health care
self management requires confidence in one’s own ability (self-efficacy), to monitor and manage three things: disease process/condition, emotional consequences of living with the condition, changes to daily life/occupation that are a consequence of the condition

Question 10

what is self management support?

Answer 10

the systematic provision of education and supportive interventions by health care staff to increase patients’ skills and confidence in managing their health problems, including regular assessment of progress and problems, goal setting and problem-solving support

Question 11

what are the 4 steps of self management support?

Answer 11

1. problem definition
2. goal setting
3. selecting strategies to help achieve goals
4. monitoring how the client is going w/ self-assessment. this can be done with individuals or w/ groups of people with chronic conditions

Question 12

describe step 1 of self management support

Answer 12

PROBLEM DEFINITION

• understand what the client thinks the main problems, needs and barriers
• what do you as a healthcare professional think the main problems are?
• shared definition making to select focus

Question 13

describe step 2 of self management support

Answer 13

GOAL SETTING

• discuss and set goals for self-management w/ the individual or group
• goal setting is collaborative

Question 14

describe step 3 of self management support

Answer 14

SELECTING STRATEGIES TO HELP CLIENT ACHIEVE SELF-MANAGEMENT GOALS
a) providing information about the health condition
b) encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviours
c) symptom management
d) managing the psychosocial impact of the chronic condition
e) occupational adaption
f) environmental modifications
(see notes for in depth explanations)

Question 15

describe step 4 of self management support

Answer 15

MONITORING HOW CLIENT IS GOING WITH SELF-MANAGEMENT

• helps determine effectiveness of self-management and strategies
• helps identify barriers to achieving goals
• can provide reinforcement for progress
• ideally clients will learn to self-monitor

Question 16

what are some self-management learning approaches?

Answer 16

self-help books, internet based resources, peer-based support, group programs, individual time with health professional
may or may not include involvement of health professionals

Question 17

what topics are often included in self management group programs?

Answer 17

• education about the conditions and symptoms e.g. pain and fatigue management
• stress management and relaxation
• goal setting
• medication management
• managing emotions
• healthy eating and exercise
• effective communication with health professionals and significant others

Question 18

is self-management effective?

Answer 18

research evidence to support self management:

• improved health status
• improvements in health behaviour
• improved communication w/ health professionals
• improve utilisation of health services
• improve QOL