Chronic Disease Management
Structured, physician-led management of diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune conditions, and more.
Managing chronic diseases is crucial to improving your quality of life and preventing complications. At Three Rivers Concierge Medicine, your physician offers a comprehensive chronic disease management plan tailored to your specific health needs. By working closely with you, we aim to control symptoms, minimize complications, and help you live a healthier, more active life.
Chronic Disease Management Q & A
What is Chronic Disease?
Chronic diseases are conditions that last for an extended period of time—often years—and can affect your ability to perform everyday tasks. Some chronic diseases are manageable with the right care, while others require ongoing monitoring and treatment. Common chronic conditions include:
- Heart disease
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Emphysema
- Chronic pain conditions
- Dementia
While chronic diseases can affect many areas of your life, proper management can help you live better, with fewer complications.
What is Chronic Disease Management?
Chronic disease management is a patient-centered approach to help individuals manage their long-term health conditions effectively. Your physician will work with you to develop a personalized plan that considers your medical history, lifestyle, and unique health challenges. We focus on prevention, symptom management, and minimizing the impact of chronic conditions on your daily life.
What Will My Chronic Disease Management Plan Include?
Your chronic disease management plan is specifically tailored to your condition and needs. Common aspects of the plan include:
- Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Addressing unhealthy habits like smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise that can worsen your condition.
- Regular Monitoring: Routine tests and check-ups to track the progress of your condition and detect any complications early.
- Medication Management: Prescribing and adjusting medications as needed to keep your condition under control.
- Treatment for Comorbidities: Addressing any other health conditions you may have that could affect your chronic disease management, such as mental health or sleep issues.
- Support and Education: Teaching you how to manage your condition on your own and offering support when needed.
How Does Chronic Disease Management Benefit Me?
By staying on top of your chronic condition with regular check-ups, symptom tracking, and lifestyle changes, you can prevent complications, reduce hospitalizations, and improve your overall well-being. Chronic disease management focuses on giving you the tools and support to maintain a high quality of life, even with ongoing health challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chronic conditions do you manage?
Three Rivers Concierge Medicine manages a full range of chronic conditions including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, COPD, chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, and dementia. The CDC reports that 6 in 10 American adults live with at least one chronic disease — and 4 in 10 have two or more — making coordinated chronic care one of the most important functions of primary medicine. Our Creve Coeur practice serves as the central hub for your complete health management.
How is chronic disease management different in concierge medicine?
In traditional practices, chronic disease management means a 15-minute visit every 3–6 months — barely enough time to refill prescriptions, let alone optimize your plan. At Three Rivers, Dr. Shoemaker's smaller patient panel means extended visits, proactive monitoring, prompt medication adjustments, and direct access when something changes between appointments. The result is tighter disease control with fewer complications and hospitalizations.
Can concierge medicine help me reduce my medications?
In many cases, yes — through closer monitoring, lifestyle optimization, and more precise treatment adjustments than time-constrained traditional practices can provide. Dr. Shoemaker regularly reviews medication regimens to eliminate redundancies, reduce side effects, and, when clinically appropriate, use lifestyle changes to replace or reduce pharmacotherapy. Every change is made carefully and monitored closely.
What does ongoing monitoring look like?
Regular lab work, vital sign tracking, symptom assessment, and medication review — scheduled proactively rather than only when problems arise. At Three Rivers in St. Louis, Dr. Shoemaker identifies trends early and adjusts your plan before a small change becomes a crisis. Direct phone and text access means you don't wait weeks for an appointment when symptoms shift.
Do you coordinate with my specialists?
Yes — care coordination is a core function of the concierge model. Research in the Annals of Internal Medicine consistently shows that patients seeing multiple specialists without a coordinating physician experience higher rates of medication errors, redundant testing, and conflicting treatment plans. Dr. Shoemaker communicates directly with your cardiologist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist, or any other specialist to ensure everyone is aligned.
How do I get started with chronic disease management at Three Rivers?
Schedule a complimentary consultation at our Creve Coeur office — Dr. Shoemaker will review your current conditions, medications, and specialist relationships, and discuss how the concierge model can improve your care. If you're frustrated with fragmented care, long wait times, or feeling like your conditions are being managed reactively rather than proactively, this conversation is a good first step.
