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[Chronic heart failure requires a multidisciplinary treatment concept]

K Meyer1, T M Suter

  • 1Schweizer Herz- und Gefässzentrum, Kardiologie, Universitätsklinik, Inselspital Bern. katharina.meyer@insel.ch

Praxis
|November 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Heart failure is increasing, causing high costs mainly from hospitalizations. Multidisciplinary disease management programs can reduce patient morbidity and hospital admissions, offering a feasible solution.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Health Economics

Context:

  • Rising incidence and prevalence of heart failure in industrialized nations.
  • Significant healthcare expenditure attributed to heart failure, particularly hospitalizations (70% of costs).
  • High mortality and morbidity rates associated with heart failure.

Purpose:

  • To address the urgent need for new therapeutic measures to reduce heart failure morbidity and hospital admission rates.
  • To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of multidisciplinary disease management programs in Switzerland.

Summary:

  • Multidisciplinary disease management programs have shown effectiveness in reducing both morbidity and hospitalization rates in heart failure patients.
  • These programs are considered practical, efficient, and financially feasible.
  • The study advocates for the evaluation of such programs within the Swiss healthcare system.

Impact:

  • Potential to decrease healthcare costs associated with heart failure by reducing hospitalizations.
  • Improvement in patient outcomes and quality of life through better disease management.
  • Provides evidence for the implementation of innovative, cost-effective heart failure care models.

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