Health outcomes of patients in the Complex Chronic Diseases Program

Background: Complex chronic diseases affect almost 3% of Canadians and lead to persistent, debilitating symptoms. The BC Ministry of Health funded the Complex Chronic Diseases Program to address service gaps for affected individuals. We evaluated health outcomes of the program’s patients. Methods: Analysis of data from the Complex Chronic Diseases Program Data Registry (June 2017–September 2022) focused on patientreported outcomes and clinical measures at baseline, 6-month follow-up, and discharge, and on changes in symptoms across these time points. Results: Among the 668 participants included in the study, slight improvements in overall physical and mental health were observed between baseline and discharge. However, symptoms such as sleep dysfunction, fatigue, and pain showed no significant changes. Conclusions: While participation in the Complex Chronic Diseases Program yielded some health benefits, further research and interventions are required to address symptoms and optimize patient outcomes. The further development and use of objective outcome markers are needed for improved program evaluation.