The Agency for Healthcare and Quality - Research Paper Example

? Research Paper Exercise is a vital part of body fitness and an essential aspect in health management. It is also studied as a possible solution in mitigating the effects of many chronic diseases around the world. According to Thygerson and Thygerson (2009), community-based exercise and fitness programs are necessary at all levels of human growth and development, of which the impact has been studied in various research articles. This paper will analyze the findings of one such research study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and its relation to this course. The research is titled: “Preventing Disability in the Elderly with Chronic Disease” and was sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The main objective of the research was to find ways in which disability could be prevented among the older people suffering from a disease with long-term effects such as asthma and arthritis. This research enabled for the development of a program in which people suffering from chronic diseases could manage their disease with the help of the community. The research found that patients could be educated on how to cope with the disease symptoms while adhering to their medication, but most importantly keeping up with their physical mobility. It was found that exercise was fundamental in delaying the effects of disability caused by chronic diseases. The research also discovered that patients who enrolled for the “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program” (CDSMP) showed a positive progress in fighting their diseases and, in turn, reduced the level upon which they relied on health care services. As a result, each individual has a reduced financial burden and an increase in their self-reliance. This was a relief for most chronic disease patients because they cited the cost of managing these diseases as too high which led majority to fail in checking the effects. With the program developed under this research, the patients could save on cost in a healthy and effective self-assessment program. The research found that patients even changed their living habits; for example, some quit smoking because it was in line with the program. With the education given to the patients while in the program, they even reduced their alcohol consumption levels because it was interfering with their capacity to cope with the chronic diseases. The research also found that patients adhered to a strict nutritional and health diet program, which was designed to improve their disease fighting immunity; hence, making them delays the effects of disability. The research also found that administering an exercise and fitness program to the patients led to controlled weight loss and management. This exercise was also vital in regulating heart function, which was especially important in those suffering from heart failure. The research findings included a six month evaluation program among patients and several observations were made: the patients who enrolled for CDSMP showed increased levels of exercise and maintained fitness, as well as an improved capacity to handle the symptoms of chronic diseases. Another observation with the patients after six months was that the patients could communicate to their health care personnel better than before, which in turn helped the physicians to give them the right medication and in accordance with the needs of each patient. The research found that, after six months, the patients showed progress in their social activities and were able to participate more. The patients were able to control the effects of disability citing the self-assessment as a major help in the process. The patients did not show physical or emotional stress because they seemed fit and relaxed. The program also gave the patients more energy as nutrition was administered at appropriate levels while the exercise ensured their bodies were strong. This increased energy enabled the patients to participate more in social activities and still not show signs of fatigue and stress. The research indicated that levels of disability among chronic disease patients had decreased over the six months reflecting quick response and success of the program. As mentioned earlier, this led to reduced hospital visits and ultimate reduced costs. The research also observed the progress of the patients enrolled in the CDSMP after one year in the program. This revealed the following findings. The patients showed increased energy levels while they now could handle their responsibilities socially quite effectively. After one year, the patients showed minimal fatigue levels with high and improved health status. Also, observed was that the patients paid few visits to the physician. This was; however, mulled by the observation that, after one year, there was a minimal increase in the levels of disability among the chronic patients. The research then led to further observations after two years for patients in the program and the findings showed that the levels of disability were reducing. After two years in the program, the patients showed significantly improved mobility and heath and the hospital visit were now further reduced. The research article articulated this progress to the efficiency of the program. The article led to the popularization of the CDSMP which in turn has helped to reduce the impact of chronic diseases in the community. As a recommendation, the research paper highlighted the importance of exercise and its effectiveness if conducted at a community level. As the research aimed at reducing disability at a community level, was effective in mobilizing people to adopt a self-assessment and management program. In conclusion, elements such as relaxation techniques need for controlled exercise and body fitness programs that are discussed in this research article have also been studied in this course. As a finding of the research, patients were educated on nutritional value and balancing of diets as a means of fighting the effects of chronic diseases and were inducted into fitness programs that were community based (Marcus and Forsyth, 2008). This is also discussed in this course on the effectiveness of exercise in helping to fight diseases. It is also necessary to note that exercise as discussed in this course must be controlled in accordance with the patient’s ability and body strength. As a community based activity, the use of fitness and exercise programs can be used to avert the impact of diseases in the community. Other efforts to curb social habits such as smoking and alcoholism can also be achieved through programs that are exercise oriented. On the other hand, aspects such as medication and sleep management that are identified in this research article are not present in this course because they are specific to the management of chronic diseases (Howley and Franks, 2007). Also, the issue of communication with health care providers is discussed at length in this article, and the resulting reduction in health care costs, which is not discussed in this course. References: Howley, E. & Franks, D. B. (2007). Fitness Professional’s Handbook 5th Edition.   Illinois:Human Kinetics Marcus, B. & Forsyth, L.  H. (2008). Motivating People to Be Physically Active, 2nd Edition. Illinois: Human Kinetics. Preventing Disability in the Elderly With Chronic Disease. Research In Action, Issue 3. AHRQ Publication No. 02-0O18, April 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. Retrieved on May 17, 2012 fromhttp://www.ahrq.gov/research/elderdis.htm Thygerson, A. L. & Thygerson, S. M. (2009). Fit to be Well, Essential Concepts. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Read More