Last Updated on 13 October 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management Plans
Managing a chronic condition is complex, and nutrition plays a vital role in overall health outcomes. A tailored dietary plan developed by a qualified Dietitian can support you in managing your chronic health issues.
At Brisbane Livewell Clinic, Cherry Lam, an Accredited Practising Dietitian, works with her patients to support their health challenges under Chronic Disease Management Plans (CDMPs).
What is a Chronic Disease Management Plan?
A Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP) is designed to provide ongoing healthcare for those living with long-term medical conditions. If you have a chronic disease that has persisted for six months or longer, your doctor may set up a GP Management Plan, allowing you to access subsidised sessions with health professionals such as Dietitians.
Chronic diseases eligible for management plans include:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Musculoskeletal conditions
If you’re dealing with one or more chronic conditions, a structured approach, including regular consultations with a Dietitian, can support you to manage your condition effectively.
Benefits of Seeing a Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management
A Dietitian can offer personalised support to help you manage various chronic conditions through nutrition advice and helping you to improve your relationship with food. Some of the benefits may include:
- Better control of blood sugar levels for diabetes patients
- Improved heart health by eating a healthier range of foods
- Support with weight management by developing sustainable eating habits
- Nutritional strategies to support you to manage other conditions like kidney disease or high blood pressure
Dietitians provide dietary support based on your health conditions, lifestyle, and medical history. With ongoing support, patients can make incremental, meaningful changes to their diet, which may support improved health outcomes over time.
11 Reasons to See a Dietician if You Have a Chronic Disease or a Long-term Medical Illness
1. Personalised Nutrition Plans
Personalised nutrition plans are essential when managing a chronic illness. A Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management Plans will tailor a diet specifically to your needs, taking into account your medical history, lifestyle, and long-term health goals.
2. Symptom Management
Managing symptoms is another key reason to consult a Dietitian. They can suggest dietary changes that may support the alleviation of symptoms associated with chronic conditions, such as reducing inflammation, stabilising blood sugar levels, or improving digestion.
3. Nutrient Deficiency Prevention
Nutrient deficiency is common in people with chronic illnesses. A Dietitian can support their patients to identify and correct deficiencies through customised dietary support, ensuring your body gets the nutrients it needs.
4. Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is often critical for managing chronic conditions. A Dietitian provides sustainable weight management strategies, supporting you to maintain a healthy balance that supports your overall well-being and condition management.
5. Improved Energy Levels
Chronic illness can cause fatigue, and optimising your diet can support the boosting of your energy levels. A Dietitian may recommend energy-enhancing foods and dietary advice to support you to improve your daily energy and reduce the feeling of fatigue.
6. Disease-Specific Education
Dietitians offer disease-specific education. For example, they can teach you how carbohydrates affect diabetes or how sodium impacts hypertension, giving you the knowledge to make informed food choices that directly support your health.
7. Prevention of Complications
Proper nutrition can prevent complications related to chronic illness. For instance, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure through diet may prevent heart disease in patients with diabetes. A Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management Plans can guide you and support you in making these preventative dietary changes.
8. Support for Digestive Health
Digestive health often suffers with chronic conditions. Dietitians can suggest foods that support gut health, reduce discomfort, and allow better nutrient absorption.
9. Medication and Diet Interaction Guidance
Certain foods can interact with medications prescribed for chronic illnesses. A Dietitian can support you in avoiding these interactions by tailoring your diet through their Wellness Plan.
10. Long-Term Health Maintenance
Chronic illness requires long-term management, and a Dietitian may help you adapt your diet over time as your condition evolves. This supports you to maintain a balanced diet for optimal health.
11. Emotional Support and Accountability
Finally, managing chronic illness can feel overwhelming, but Dietitians provide emotional support and accountability. Regular consultations help keep you motivated, address challenges, and support you to stay committed to your health goals.
How to Access Dietician Services Under a Chronic Disease Management Plan
To begin, speak with your GP about setting up a GP Management Plan. This plan allows you to access up to five allied health visits per year, which may include sessions with a dietitian. If diet and nutrition are essential for managing your condition, your GP can refer you to a Dietitian like Cherry Lam at Brisbane Livewell Clinic.
Once the plan is in place, your doctor can fax the referral to Brisbane Livewell Clinic, or you can bring it with you to your first consultation. It’s important to ensure the referral is received before your appointment to guarantee that the Medicare rebate applies.
Chronic Conditions Supported by Dietitian Services
1. Diabetes Management
Dietitians provide essential support for managing diabetes. They can support their patients to stabilise blood sugar levels through balanced, consistent meals. A carefully planned diet can reduce the risk of complications and support the management of diabetes symptoms.
2. Cardiovascular Health
For patients with heart disease or high cholesterol, diet plays a crucial role in managing the condition. A Dietitian can offer personalised advice on reducing saturated fats and increasing heart-healthy foods such as omega-3 rich fish and fibre-rich grains.
3. Weight Management
Obesity often coexists with other chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes. Working with a Dietitian supports patients to develop realistic, long-term strategies to lose or maintain weight, tailored to their individual health needs.
4. Kidney Disease
Managing kidney disease often requires a diet low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. A Dietitian supports their patients to avoid foods that may exacerbate their condition while receiving adequate nutrition from safer alternatives.
What to Expect from Your Appointment
During your appointment, Cherry Lam will assess your current dietary patterns and any specific needs related to your chronic condition. Based on this assessment, she will develop a tailored Wellness Plan, making it easy to integrate into your everyday life. Follow-up appointments will adjust the plan to support you in progressing and maintaining your health goals.
The Medicare rebate will apply to your appointment if you have a valid GP Management Plan. If you need more than the five allocated sessions, you may be able to access additional consultations through private health insurance extras.
Maximising the Value of Your GP Management Plan
Patients under the GP Management Plan can access up to five allied health sessions per year. It’s important to discuss with your GP how best to allocate these sessions. If dietary changes are critical to managing your condition, ensure that dietitian consultations are prioritised.
Remember that diet plays a crucial role in managing many chronic diseases, and making nutrition a key part of your management plan can lead to significant health improvements.
Why Choose Brisbane Livewell Clinic?
At Brisbane Livewell Clinic, our goal is to support you in managing your chronic condition through evidence-based nutritional strategies. Cherry Lam, our Accredited Practising Dietitian, is dedicated to supporting patients with chronic diseases to develop sustainable, practical eating plans that support the improvement of long-term health.
Our Clinic offers a range of Allied Health services and Natural Therapies, allowing you to take a holistic approach to your healthcare needs.
Useful Resources
How a Dietician Can Transform Your Health
Find a Dietitian: How to Find a Dietitian in Australia
Dietitian for Chronic Disease Management Plans
Diet Nutrition Brisbane: Discover the Secrets to Your Nutritional Health
6 Digestive Problems that Cause Weight Gain
Dietician Queensland Services Accessible Wherever You Live
Dietician Wavell Heights: Rediscover Your Relationship with Food
Meet Cherry Lam: Accredited Practicing Dietitian
Nutritionist vs Dietician: Which Should I Choose?
External Resources
- Dietitians Australia – Official Site
- Health Direct – Dietitians Information
- Australian Government Health – Dietitian Services
- Better Health Channel – Dietitians
- NSW Government Health – Dietitians
- Victorian Department of Health – Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Queensland Health – Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dietitians Association of Australia – Find a Dietitian
- Eat For Health – Australian Dietary Guidelines
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Nutrition and Diet
