The Chronic Care Passport is a patient-held card used by patients with CNCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Chronic Care Passport includes healthy lifestyle advice on nutrition, physical activity and toxic habits as well as preventive measures for cervical, breast and prostate cancer. It also contains a summarized meal plan with a food exchange list.
The Care Plan in the Passport’s central page itemizes a complete list of laboratory tests, health exams and self-management education issues for the main chronic diseases i.e. diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and obesity. The Care Plan lists a series of clinical standards coming from international evidence-based guidelines and protocols for all enumerated laboratory tests and exams including the Global Cardiovascular Risk evaluation.
The Passport has spaces for establishing targets with patients and record the results obtained during different patient visits. It was designed for the first level of care but can be used or adapted to other settings. The Health Professional Brochure contains instructions and explanations of how to complete and use the Chronic Care Passport. The Chronic Care Passport emerged from PAHO’s technical collaboration with many Member States.
Advantages of using the chronic care passport
- Provides a care plan to be followed by providers and clients
- Stimulates goal setting and patient participation in the process of care
- Promotes data collection, care monitoring and quality improvement
- Fosters preventive measures such as those for prostate, cervical and breast cancer
- Stimulates the measurement of Cardiovascular Global Risk
- Promotes integration between levels of care
- Contributes to life-style education
- Encourages planned interactions between patients and health care teams
- Provides with a meal plan
- Strengthens control and adherence to medication
Demonstration projects have been established in many countries throughout the Americas. The Chronic Care Passport is being currently implemented in Antigua, Anguilla, Argentina, Barbados, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Paraguay, Santa Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.
Download the Chronic Care Passport
Download the Health Provider Brochure Chronic care passport for professionals