In 2005, Yukon Health and Social Services set up a program to improve care for people with diabetes. The program assisted doctors, nurses and other health professionals to work together with patients to achieve the best possible diabetes care.

Health and Social Services is now expanding the program to include people with other chronic conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and high blood pressure. This new program is called the Chronic Conditions Support Program (CCSP).

The CCSP involves health professionals learning and working together to provide the best care to their patients who have chronic conditions. If that’s you, the program will:

• help you manage your condition; and
• help ensure that you receive the best possible care.

As well, the program provides clinical support to doctors and health centres. Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Clinicians are health professionals who work with participating doctors by supporting their patients one on one and in groups to coordinate and manage their care. In the communities, Clinicians work with the Primary Health Care Nurses to help them ensure best possible care for patients with chronic conditions.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The health professionals in the CCSP use current Canadian guidelines to monitor your condition and to make sure that you know when tests are due. This helps ensure that any changes in your condition are detected and treated as early as possible. You may be invited to see your doctor or a CDM Clinician at your doctor’s office, or a nurse in the communities, at regular intervals about your condition. You will be an important partner in improving the management of your care.

For the health professionals involved, the program means:

• attending educational sessions;
• using a Toolkit to assist in keeping track of the care for your condition; and
• monitoring their own practice and making changes