Measuring and monitoring outcomes of disease management programs

After a brief analysis of the financial and health care motives that have led to the current boom in disease management (DM) programs, this paper discusses the pragmatic realities of a particular DM program for treating asthma. A model of the institutional structures necessary for DM to work is presented, emphasizing a process of continuous quality improvement in technical, clinical, and managerial processes. Significant differences between the conventions of controlled clinical trials and the realities of actual patient care may lead to unrealistic expectations about DM, making sound managerial practices and effective communication even more important. A "data warehouse" can help health care systems master the intricacies of programwide data collection and analysis, making possible sound decisions regarding treatment regimens and changes in physician and patient behavior. This paper concludes with a discussion of how the Prudential Health Care DM program for asthma makes use of the practices and systems discussed above.