Chronic disease management: Brazilian experience in diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To assess the evidence for the effect of disease management on quality of care and disease control, with a focus on Brazilian Health Care System. Methods: We conducted a literature search for and a structured review of studies on population based disease management programs, as well as for reviews of disease management interventions in Brazilian Health Care System. Results: We identified three evaluations of large-scale population-based programs. We found consistent evidence that disease management improves processes of care and disease control but no conclusive support for its effect on costs. Conclusions: The use of the Disease management program among this sample of patients with diabetes promoted better adherence to diet, physical activities, and the use of medication. It is possible to reduce the HbA1 values to desired levels by using Disease management program.