Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes are chronic diseases that, to date, cannot be cured. The aims of chronic disease management are broad, fairly easily defined, and extend in these specific conditions well beyond weight and glycaemia.
General goals include engaging the patient in taking an active ongoing approach in managing their disease; providing the resources for self-management support; and an integrated disease management team using a patient centred approach, founded on evidence based medicine and linked back to primary care.
Specific goals include improvement of physical and psychosocial function, and quality of life; prevention of end-organ damage and complications; and reduction of morbidity and mortality. Diabetes specific targets to minimise risk and optimise cardio-metabolic status (remission) would examine glycaemia, blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, weight loss and a reduction in pre-surgical medications requirements. Additional obesity specific goals would include normalisation of other obesity related complications and risks.