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Address Mental Health Issues to Improve Chronic Disease Outcomes and Cut Costs

Chronic health conditions leave a lasting impact on a patient's mental health. Chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis, kidney disease, hypertension- affect millions of people in the United States of America. With these physical illnesses comes a great amount of mental distress. This includes being in hospital for too long, having to take too many medicines, having to go through multiple tests, constant lab/blood work, restriction from routine activities, alteration in lifestyle, etc.

The psychological burden patients with chronic illnesses face is huge, and unfortunately, is often overlooked. Given the overwhelming and sudden distressing changes that come with chronic diseases, it shouldn’t be a surprise to know that there is a profound link between the two- chronic physical illness and mental health issues.

Healthcare professionals and providers must address the mental well-being of their physically chronic ill patients to make sure they remain in optimal condition. An all-round approach towards health is critical in maintaining a patient's quality of life.

What Does CDC Say About Mental Health Issues and Chronic Diseases?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the link between chronic physical diseases and mental health issues. Some of its key findings are:

• Adults with serious psychological distress are more likely to develop chronic physical conditions- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and diabetes, as compared to those without serious psychological distress.
• Children with chronic physical conditions are 62% more likely to have a mental health disorder growing up than those without such conditions.
• 90% of the United States’ $4.5 trillion in annual healthcare expenditures are for people with chronic physical illnesses and mental health conditions.

Addressing Mental Health Issues To Improve Chronic Disease Outcomes and Cut Costs

The connection between mental health and chronic diseases is undeniable. As the CDC’s findings highlight, the interplay between these two aspects of health is complex, and often cyclical. Chronic illnesses often lead to mental struggles. The untreated mental health issues can exacerbate a patient's physical conditions. This creates a vicious cycle, impacting both patient outcomes and healthcare costs. To break this cycle, healthcare providers must adopt a holistic approach that prioritizes mental health alongside physical health.

Two-way Relationship of Mental Health and Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases come with an emotional toll that patients struggle to deal with. Experiencing feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or depression, it is often challenging for patients to navigate their condition.

Mental health conditions worsen chronic diseases. Depression is linked to poor adherence to treatment plans, making unhealthy lifestyle choices, and an increased inflammation in the body. All of these aggravate conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. Anxiety is also known to elevate stress hormones, worsening the symptoms of chronic illnesses.

This bidirectional relationship underscores the importance of addressing mental health as a part of chronic disease management. By doing this, healthcare providers not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce the financial burden on the healthcare system.

Importance of Integrated Care to Improve Outcomes

Integrated care models combine physical and mental health services. They have shown promising results in managing chronic diseases. These care models emphasize collaboration between primary care providers, mental health professionals, and specialists to create a treatment plan tailored keeping in mind the patient’s need. This multidisciplinary approach makes sure that all aspects of a patient's health are addressed. It leads to better adherence to treatment plans and improved overall well-being.

Financial Impact of Ignoring Mental Health

Ignoring mental health needs of patients with chronic diseases has significant financial consequences. Untreated mental health conditions lead to higher healthcare utilization, including more frequent hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and specialists consultations. Moreover, poor mental health results in loss of productivity, absenteeism, and disability claims. This increases the economic burden in the future.

On the contrary, investing in mental healthcare for patients with chronic diseases leads to substantial cost savings. Studies show that treating depression in patients with diabetes reduces healthcare costs by improving medication adherence, and preventing complications. Likewise, addressing anxiety in patients with heart diseases helps lower the risk of adverse cardiac events, reducing the need for costly interventions.

Steps for Healthcare Providers

Effectively addressing mental health issues in patients with chronic diseases means that healthcare providers need to take steps to tackle the challenge.

1) Screening of Mental Health Conditions

Routine screening of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders should be a standard practice in chronic disease management. Tools like the PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety helps identify patients who may require additional support.

2) Providing Access to Mental Health Services

Collaborating with mental health professionals to offer counseling, therapy, and psychiatric services to patients. Telehealth options make it easier to access these services, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas.

3) Educating Patients, Caregivers and Family Members

Helping patients, their caregivers and family understand the connection between mental health and chronic diseases ease the process of care and treatment. They are always aware in advance about the billing of these treatments. Provide resources, and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

4) Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Changes

As a healthcare provider, encourage patients to engage in regular physical activities, maintain a balanced diet, and practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques. These habits significantly improve physical as well as mental health.

5) Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment Plans

Regularly assess the effectiveness of treatment plans and make adjustments as needed. Make sure that mental health interventions are integrated into the overall care strategy.

The connection between mental health and chronic diseases is too significant to be ignored. By addressing mental health issues in patients with chronic illnesses, healthcare providers may have improved outcomes, enhance patient’s quality of life, and reduce the healthcare costs. An integrated patient-focused approach prioritizes physical as well as mental well-being. This is essential to break the cycle of chronic disease and mental health challenges. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, embracing the holistic treatment approach is the key to deliver effective, compassionate care.

At Instapay Healthcare Services, we understand the importance of an all-round approach to care, especially when it comes to managing chronic diseases and mental health issues. Our services are designed to support healthcare providers in delivering the highest quality of integrated care that addresses the unique needs of each patient.

Reach out to us to work towards a more sustainable healthcare system.