Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases role of family physicians in improving compliance to lifestyle modification

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and cardiovascular disease have already overtaken communicable diseases in terms of mortality and morbidity in India. NCDs thus pose a serious economic threat to developing countries and can have a marked impact on the quality-of-life of affected individuals. In the management of NCDs like diabetes or hypertension, lifestyle (i.e.: nondrug) measures are of paramount importance for therapy to be successful. These nondrug measures include decreasing physical inactivity, eating a healthy diet, stress management, avoidance of tobacco products, moderation in alcohol intake and most importantly increased awareness about the condition. In India, as in most parts of the world, patients usually tend to consult their Family Physician (FP) first. Although most FPs are aware of the benefits of nondrug measures, they seldom spent time on assessing patient's physical activity, diet and stress levels or even educating the patient about the same. This paper reviews and discusses different means by which the FPs can improve patient compliance to nondrug measures in the prevention and control of NCDs.