Meeting the Challenge of Chronic Illness

"This book views the issues from the perspectives of the patients and families and of professional caregivers and policy makers. Unlike many discussions of chronic illness care, it considers the entire spectrum of chronic illness, from fully functional individuals trying to control their illness and prevent complications to frail, older people in need of ongoing services. We have needed a thoughtful, comprehensive examination of the evidence and issues in caring for individuals and families with chronic illness. Now we have one."—from the foreword by Edward Wagner, M.D., M.P.H., Director, MacColl Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Seattle, Washington

Chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and Parkinson disease are the principal cause of all sickness and death in the United States and represent the vast majority of health care expenditures. Although we now live in a world dominated by chronic conditions, health care is still organized around a commitment to treating acute illnesses.

Meeting the Challenge of Chronic Illness examines current deficiencies in chronic illness care and explores ways to improve it. Addressing the challenges of shifting from the primacy of acute illnesses to the predominance of chronic conditions, the authors identify the components necessary to reorganize and reform health care: properly prepared health care workers; involved patients and families; appropriate use of new technologies, especially information systems; an appropriate role for prevention; and the creation of funding approaches that will provide necessary incentives.

This book calls on policy makers, health care providers, and educators to address one of the greatest challenges facing the health care system.