An innovative role for nurse practitioners in managing chronic disease

Under the current care delivery model, persons with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, are not receiving all recommended interventions and failing to meet targeted outcomes. The Chronic Care Model provides a framework for new approaches and roles for many members of the multidisciplinary team. Using the Chronic Care Model as a guide, a group of hospital-based clinics in an academic system incorporated nurse practitioners into the care model for patients with diabetes. Through use of planned visits, a patient registry, drug intensification protocols, and collaboration with other members of the team, the pilot sample improved processes of care and clinical outcomes. Use of nurse practitioners in this model of care for chronically ill patient populations has economic implications, as the payers begin to pay for performance.