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Foreword: Episodic injuries and illness are usually managed quite efficiently within our care delivery system. In fact, our system was built around an episode-of-care model since the days of family doctors making house calls for the periodic care needs of families they served. But we are struggling to provide effective care for those with chronic conditions among our citizens, including many veterans. Chronic conditions are becoming more prevalent and consume 75% of our nation's medical resources. In addition, chronic illnesses have quality-of-life consequences, not only for affected patients but also for family members, caregivers, and friends. An Institute of Medicine committee examined this important problem and offered recommendations at the individual and community levels. I hope you will read this summary and learn more from the full report, since virtually every one of us has a stake in the societal challenge of living well with a chronic illness.
Robert B. Wallace (Fri,) studied this question.