Chronic Disease Management
Living with chronic diseases can pose significant challenges, not just for patients but also for their caregivers and families, especially when these conditions are not effectively managed.
At Eastgate Medical Centre, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those who are managing diabetes & chronic conditions.
We provide comprehensive and compassionate care that focuses on your well-being and strives for the best possible outcomes. Your health is our priority, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Our doctors possess the confidence and updated knowledge required to diagnose, initiate, and provide ongoing care for chronic medical conditions.
At Eastgate Medical Centre, we recognise the importance of effectively controlling these conditions and are committed to providing the necessary support and referrals to specialists and allied health practitioners when needed.
Our approach is comprehensive and patient-centered, encompassing the following key components:
GP MANAGEMENT PLAN:
We create personalised management plans tailored to address your specific chronic medical condition. These plans are designed to optimize your health and well-being.
TEAM CARE ARRANGEMENT:
We foster collaboration with specialists and allied health workers to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to your care. This team effort enhances the effectiveness of our treatment strategies.
For patients with chronic medical conditions, regular visits to our GPs are of utmost importance. These visits encompass a range of essential services, including:
MONITORING:
We closely monitor your condition to track its progression and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
MEDICAL HISTORY TAKING:
Our healthcare team collects and analyses relevant data to provide you with the most informed care possible.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION:
Regular physical examinations help us assess your overall health and identify any changes in your condition.
INVESTIGATIONS:
We arrange essential investigations to ensure that your treatment remains effective and safe.
The chronic medical conditions effectively managed at The Eastgate Medical Centre include, but are not limited to:
- Asthma
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Hypertension
- Cholesterol Issues
- Obesity & Weight Management
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic Heart Failure
- Chronic Kidney Failure
Facts about chronic diseases
Chronic conditions are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare provides report on 8 common conditions: arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and mental health conditions.
These 8 common conditions have a big impact on Australians, as:
1) 1 in 2 Australians (50%) have at least 1
2) 3 in 5 Australians (60%) aged over 65 years have more than 1
3) around 9 in every 10 deaths are associated with them
Risk factors
There are many things that affect your risk of developing a chronic condition. We call these ‘risk factors’.
Risk factors fall into 2 main groups:
1) Ones you can change (for example, smoking, drinking, being overweight, not being physically active)
2) Ones you can’t change (for example, age, gender, genes you’ve inherited)
Having risk factors increases the chance of you getting a chronic condition. Changing the risk factors you do have control over can help you prevent some chronic conditions.
The following risk factors commonly affect Australians:
1) smoking tobacco
2) not getting enough physical activity
3) drinking too much alcohol
4) poor diet
5) obesity
6) high blood pressure
7) poor cholesterol levels
Reducing these risk factors in your own life can help keep you healthier for longer.
Ref: Department of Health and Age Care