THOSE suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma or arthritis could soon enjoy a far better quality of life, as a revolutionary new system hits local health services.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The self management system's creator, Dr Malcolm Battersby, visited the Eurobodalla this week to speak with health professionals about its use.
"Doctors need to know how big chronic disease is, that the current system is now outdated; we have to explain...that self management can actually work," he said.
Around 70 per cent of GP visits are for chronic conditions and, while the number of visits may not decrease, the patient will benefit in the long term.
"The reason to self manage is quality of life," he said.
"It is a national crisis because there's been an increase in people with these conditions and it's causing a huge burden on the health system."
And, since the Eurobodalla has the highest proportion of residents aged over 55 years old in NSW, the shire was an ideal location for the system.
"The Eurobodalla is probably a good example of a region which has all the good things we try to get out of western civilisation - [but] now we have a good lifestyle we end up with all these chronic diseases," Dr Battersby said.
Chronic diseases also include obesity, hypertension and other cardiac or respiratory conditions. While often not curable, self management of the conditions could prevent complications further down the track, particularly those requiring hospitalisation.
The system teaches patients about their conditions and addresses other issues each individual might have, to motivate them to look after their health.
The State and Federal Governments have provided $500 million to implement the system over the next four years.
