Interventions used in disease management programmes for patients with chronic illnesswhich ones work? Meta-analysis of published reports. Issue 7370 (26th October 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weingarten, Scott R; Henning, James M; Badamgarav, Enkhe; Knight, Kevin; Hasselblad, Vic; Jr, Anacleto Gano; Ofman, Joshua J
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 325:Issue 7370(2002)
• Page Start: 925
• Publication Date: 2002-10-26
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.325.7370.925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To systematically evaluate the published evidence regarding the characteristics and effectiveness of disease management programmes. Design: Meta-analysis. Data sources: Computerised databases for English language articles during 1987-2001. Study selection: 102 articles evaluating 118 disease management programmes. Main outcome measures: Pooled effect sizes calculated with a random effects model. Results: Patient education was the most commonly used intervention (92/118 programmes), followed by education of healthcare providers (47/118) and provider feedback (32/118). Most programmes (70/118) used more than one intervention. Provider education, feedback, and reminders were associated with significant improvements in provider adherence to guidelines (effect sizes (95% confidence intervals) 0.44 (0.19 to 0.68), 0.61 (0.28 to 0.93), and 0.52 (0.35 to 0.69) respectively) and with significant improvements in patient disease control (effect sizes 0.35 (0.19 to 0.51), 0.17 (0.10 to 0.25), and 0.22 (0.1 to 0.37) respectively). Patient education, reminders, and financial incentives were all associated with improvements in patient disease control (effect sizes 0.24 (0.07 to 0.40), 0.27 (0.17 to 0.36), and 0.40 (0.26 to 0.54) respectively). Conclusions: All studied interventions were associated with improvements in provider adherence to practice guidelines and disease control. The type and number of interventions varied greatly, and future studies should directly compare different types of intervention to find the most effective.