Shanghai introduces new model to deal with chronic disease

By Wang Hongyi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-15 15:57

SHANGHAI: A new chronic disease management model that seeks collaboration between hospital services and community healthcare centers was introduced in Shanghai earlier this month.

The three-year program, targeting heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease, was initiated by Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere), a US-based non-profit health training organization and Philips China. It aims to improve the country's chronic disease management and enhance patient care outcomes by reducing burden on China's overall healthcare system through a sustainable health management system.

According to the 2006 Chronic Disease Report by the Ministry of Health, chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the leading causes of death among the Chinese population. Another report from the Sino-MONICA-Beijing study says 1.5 million patients die of stroke per year in China, and the re-occurrence rate is much higher than in Western countries.

Meanwhile, chronic disease patients visit doctors three times per year on average; over half of them opt for municipal level hospitals which are relatively crowded, inconvenient and expensive, while only 25.1 percent choose community healthcare centers.

"That indicates the urgency and importance of secondary intervention and an effective healthcare system for chronic disease," said Lily Hsu, program director of Project HOPE.

The program will provide professional training for secondary and community healthcare centers as well as ensure these places have advanced medical facilities set up. It will also educate chronic disease patients so they can develop their self-care skills and better manage post-treatment.

Deng Weiwu, chief physician from the Institute of Ruijin Infectious and Respiratory Diseases at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, said the program is a step in the right direction for patient care.

"Under the integrated model, chronic disease patients at selected program sites will receive better patient education for self-care and risk-factor reduction, in addition to obtaining easy access to more efficient and affordable care at community healthcare centers," said Deng.

In addition to Shanghai, the program will be launched in Beijing, Guangzhou and Wuhan.