Disease management no longer a ‘buzzword’ in the US

Abstract

T wo years ago disease management was simply a ‘buzzword’, but now it is gaining important ground, according to Dr Nelda Johnson, Project Director for Health Policy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, US. In speaking to PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News, Dr Johnson pointed out that the integration of healthcare is one of the factors driving the increasing development and implementation of disease management programmes. However, because disease management programmes cover some conditions that are not actually illnesses (e.g. perinatal care), the term ‘disease management’ is not actually appropriate. Therefore, we should ‘watch for the name change’, advised Dr Johnson.