Projections indicate that chronic diseases could account for nearly 60% of deaths and disabilities by the end of this decade. Chronic diseases do not only cause illness to an individual but also affect their well-being and that of their close associates. Chronic diseases cause health complications that result to disabilities, functional impairment, high rates of premature mortality, mortality and prolonged illnesses. Controlling chronic diseases requires culturally and socially competitive approaches (Singh, D., 2008). This paper will seek to address the Tuberculosis diseases (TB), a communicable chronic disease, using the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Model (CDPM).
TB has historically been a major challenge to address in our healthcare systems since most of the health care systems were designed to provide health care for acute diseases patients. This gap of design that did not consider the provision of health care to chronic patients, however, needs to be addressed to avert the effects of communicable chronic diseases. The Ontario CPDM is a framework that brings together the community to help address chronic diseases. Communicable diseases have present a health hazard to the community ion general there was, therefore, need to involve the community ranging from individuals, patients and their families and health care institutions, agencies and organizations. The CPDM is an evidence-based client and population centered approach to addressing the issues of chronic diseases (Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2007).
TB patients require not only medical support but also self-management skills and moral support from the family and community. The health care system should be able to provide a wide range of these services, which include enlightening the community on the plight of the TB patients and how the community can be involved in helping them as well as controlling the spread of this communicable and chronic disease. The health care institution should have health information system that will provide decisional support for the patients, as well as their families (Institute of Medicine (U.S.), & Geiter, L., 2008).
Moreover, these systems should deliver quality and effective care both medically and morally to the patients. The purpose is to improve the health of the patients as well as their well-being. On the other hand, focus will ensure control of the disease from spreading further in the community. This involves providing health education to the community. This ensures that they can relate with TB patients without fear of being infected.
Such an approach ensures better outcomes for the patients, their families and the society. The CDPM therefore offers a chance to manage care as well as set up an effective disease management platform since it puts into practice both generic and specific disease practices (Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2007).
The challenge in this system is however on bringing together the community to view the TB patients as part of the community. This means allowing and assisting the patients to live normal lives. The stereotyping of this group has made them feel neglected and worthless. On the other hand, the community, once defiant to allow association with patients or programs related to TB, does not get a platform that can educate or enlighten them on control and prevention at a personal level or societal level. This places the whole society at risk of TB infection considering it is a communicable disease (New South Wales, 2010).
References
New South Wales (2010). NSW Chronic Care Program: Strengthening general practitioner involvement in chronic care : review and recommendations. North Sydney, NSW: NSW Dept. of Health.
Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2007). Preventing and managing chronic disease : Ontario's framework. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Singh, D. (2008). How can chronic disease management programmes operate across care settings and providers? Retrieved from http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/75474/E93416.pdf
