CLEVELAND — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 40% of Americans have a chronic disease like heart disease, diabetes or cancer.
A diagnosis like this can be scary, but these diseases can be manageable with the right care.
Claude Buchan has a wall lined with trophies including several Wally trophies – the most coveted in NHRA drag racing.
“Not many people get those,” he said with a smile.
Buchan is 80 years old and has several chronic conditions including diabetes and arthritis, but he doesn’t let them slow him down.
“A patient with diabetes is probably seeing their primary doctor from 2 to 4 times a year…it doesn’t sound like a lot but fast forward that times a decade,” said Dr. John J. Baniewicz, Buchan’s primary care physician.
Buchan has numerous specialists but Baniewicz with University Hospitals has been his primary care doctor for nearly 30 years.
“They get to know you, and you get to know them, and that’s where the trust builds,” Baniewicz said.
Baniewicz said learning from patients and primary care physicians can help improve the health of those living with chronic disease.
According to University Hospitals, it's found that facilitating the sharing of information between physicians can help them improve their patients’ numbers. For example, they've seen the number of patients with uncontrolled diabetes drop from 31% to 17% in four years.
It's part of a new concept they call System of Excellence.
Baniewicz said he considers himself his patient’s partner.
“I’m also the partner that’s going to tell you the truth because it’s easy to lie to yourself,” he said.
Baniewicz tells his patients to be careful but doesn’t ask them to stop doing what they love.
Buchan has had to give up a couple things – he doesn’t ride his motorcycle anymore – but said he doesn’t let anything stop him.
“Some people golf or go bowling. We like to race,” Buchan said.