Nursing Education, Practice & Research

Biography

Biography: Stephanie Merck

Abstract

The 21^st century holds many challenges for primary care providers, chronic disease management is one. Chronic disease and conditions are among the most common, costly and preventable of all health problems (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2016). The incidence of one chronic disease, diabetes, is expected to explode within the next five years. While preventions and education programs have documented improvement in outcomes, the success is difficult to maintain in daily life. Chronic illness requires different approaches and conversations. The disease is managed and not cured. Much of the management of chronic illness occurs outside of the provider’s office and within the daily lives of those affected by the disease. Providers, who seek different strategies to support the patient’s self-management of their chronic illness, may improve outcomes. Incorporating the information provided by technology may improve self-management skills and lead to collaborative provider/patient conversations. Technology may provide the tool necessary to improve both self-management behaviors and outcomes. Primary care providers, who understand the daily struggles of those diagnosed with a chronic illness, can offer realistic strategies for an individual to develop the necessary self-management skills to manage their chronic disease.