Disease management programs that help guide the care of patients with chronic health problems appear to improve the quality of health care, but there is little evidence that such efforts actually save money, according to a study issued Dec. 10 by the RAND Corporation.
The RAND Health study reviewed all past research on disease management programs, which seek to help patients with conditions such as diabetes and congestive heart failure by offering a system of coordinated healthcare interventions. These interventions can range from prerecorded telephone reminders to home visits by medical professionals.
Researchers selected 29 evaluations, systemic reviews, and meta-analyses to focus on, covering 317 unique studies. That review found consistent evidence that these programs can improve healthcare quality, improve disease control, and, in the case of patients with congestive heart failure, reduce hospital admission rates. But patients with depression who were enrolled in disease management programs were more likely to use outpatient care and prescription drugs, increasing costs. There also is little evidence about whether these programs improve health outcomes over the long term.
The study report, “Evidence for the Effect of Disease Management: Is $1 Billion a Year a Good Investment?” will appear in the December issue of The American Journal of Managed Care. Read the abstract.
