Disease management is a new method of managing healthcare which has arisen in response to rising healthcare costs and the integration of healthcare providers. Disease management is defined as an integrated, systems approach to healthcare designed to influence the progression of disease within...

Although the advantages of disseminating health information on the world wide web are well recognized, there has been considerable concern about the quality of online information. There has also been some debate as to whether organizations with a vested interest in a product, such as...

Within the US, consumers are assuming a much greater role in actively managing their own health, educating themselves regarding health problems, and facilitating interventions to improve health outcomes. The Internet is a convenient and cost-effective enabler for supporting patient-centered...

The purchase of `lifestyle' enhancing therapies by purchasers such as patients and insurers is projected by some to double the level of US spending on pharmaceuticals over the coming 5 to 10 years. Health plans struggling with the balance between the ability to increase medical premiums and the...

Background: Anemia often develops among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is an important cause of cardiovascular disease among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Objective: To evaluate the epidemiology and treatment of anemia among patients with CKD by undertaking an...

Objective: To determine the economic impact of an asthma education programme. Design and setting: The study was population-based and used claims data to determine changes in the resources used by identified patients with asthma 9 months before (January 1997 to September 1997) and 9 months after...

Health outcomes measurement has become increasingly important in the care of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Interest has been stimulated by the relatively poor outcomes of patients with ESRD, variations in the process of care, the high costs of ESRD care, and the development of...

Implementation of disease management programmes within an integrated delivery system (IDS) requires a multipronged approach utilising education, process changes, tools and communication to overcome barriers. Implementation efforts should be directed toward every member of the staff who comes in...

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of antidepressants through use of mutually exclusive disease indications using a managed care database. Design and setting: A claims database from a 225 000 member managed care organisation was used for the study. A hierarchy of...

Most people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias do not receive ongoing, intentional medical management for these conditions, and effective coordination of medical and non-medical care is rare. Many published guidelines and consensus statements provide recommendations for identification,...