The acceptability of chronic disease management programmes to patients, general practitioners and practice nurses

To evaluate the perceived effectiveness and acceptability of a disease management programme for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) in South Auckland.

Focus groups were held with patients, and practice nurses (PNs) and general practitioners (GPs) interviewed to develop the questionnaires. Questionnaires were posted to the 150 patients, 14 GPs and 6 PNs involved in the programme.

The programme was reported as changing patient lifestyle behaviours and patient understanding of medications and CHF. GP management was also seen as having improved. All aspects of the programme were seen as important: clinical review with a GP, educational sessions with a PN, patient-held care plan and educational material. The main issues were lack of time for practice staff to be involved, and payment for their time.

Disease management programmes such as this are of value and are acceptable to both patients and providers.