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Managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma can feel overwhelming. But with the right support from your GP, you can take control of your health — here’s how.
Living with a chronic condition doesn’t mean accepting a decline in your quality of life. At Family Medical Practices, our goal is to partner with you long-term — helping you manage your condition, reduce complications, and lead a healthier, fuller life.
Why Your GP Is Key in Chronic Care
- A general practitioner (GP) isn’t just the first point of contact for health issues — they coordinate your long-term care across your life. Healthdirect
- Research shows that having a trusted, technically competent GP helps people with chronic illness feel more in control of their health. BioMed Central
- GPs are well placed to manage comorbidities (when you have more than one chronic condition), providing continuity and whole-person care. Medical Journal of Australia
Steps to Take for Better Chronic Disease Management
Here are practical ways you and your GP can work together:
- Develop a Personalised Care Plan
- Ask your GP to help you map out a care plan tailored to your condition(s): medications, lifestyle changes, and check-up schedules.
- A written plan makes it easy to stay on track and discuss progress at follow-up visits.
- Schedule Regular Health Assessments
- Regular check-ins allow early detection of complications and ensure your plan stays relevant.
- Use these appointments to review your medications, lab results, and lifestyle interventions.
- Embrace Self-Management
- Learn as much as you can about your condition — how it affects you, what triggers flare-ups, and how to manage symptoms.
- Set achievable goals (e.g., walking more, reducing sugar intake, tracking symptoms) and monitor your progress.
- Use Allied Health and Community Services
- Your GP can refer you to dietitians, physiotherapists, or other specialists who support your management plan.
- These referrals can enhance your care, especially for complex or overlapping conditions.
- Partner With Your GP in Decisions
- Make sure you understand any treatment options, including pros, cons, and side effects.
- Be honest about challenges (e.g., taking medicines, lifestyle changes). Your GP can adjust the plan accordingly.
Challenges to Be Aware Of
- According to Australian GPs, one of the barriers in chronic disease care is the heavy administrative workload and lack of integrated care systems. Medical Journal of Australia+2Medical Journal of Australia+2
- Some patients may find it hard to navigate between their GP and other healthcare providers, especially when self-management education programs are limited. Medical Journal of Australia
- For some, accessing high-quality general practice care can be challenging — especially in rural or remote areas. The Guardian+1
Why This Matters to You (the Patient)
“Gaining control of the sense of self … self-knowledge of one’s own disease … was universally agreed to as being the most important prerequisite to gaining control.”
— Insights from chronic illness patients in Australia BioMed Central
Putting yourself at the centre of your care doesn’t just improve your physical health — it supports your mental well-being too. When you and your GP build a partnership, you’re not just reacting to symptoms; you’re planning, preventing, and staying ahead.
Bottom Line:
Chronic conditions are not something you have to face alone. At Family Medical Practices, we’re committed to walking with you every step of the way — through check-ins, tailored care plans, self-management, and referrals. Talk to your GP about setting up a chronic care plan today.
