Development of a New Strategy to Reduce the Incidence of Chronic Diseases and Their Complications

Prior to enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), Healey, Costello, and McGowan (2007) published an article challenging whether access to healthcare services alone was the answer to improving the health of a population. The authors contend that while improved access is needed, the solution lies in minimizing the occurrence of and complications from chronic diseases. While the enactment of the ACA addresses access and lays the groundwork for an increase in preventive care and population health, it does not address the emerging evidence that good health requires an informed patient. One of the most important sources of patient education has always been the family physician. Research provides that physician-patient engagement that increases knowledge results in better patient outcomes and lower total healthcare costs. Unfortunately, current reimbursement models limit the amount of time that a physician can spend with the patient, making the opportunity for health education virtually nonexistent.