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Case Study Co-Morbidity In Nursing

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Question 1: How is chronicity defined? Why is an illness rather than a disease approach to chronic and complex illness important from a nursing perspective? Discuss in relation to depression as a co-morbidity in chronic illness.

Chronicity has been defined as an illness that is persistent in effect and in duration, cannot be solved naturally, and may never be cured completely (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2012). It has occurred in various phases, forms, ages and sizes to people who experience accumulation or potential disease or impairments. Normally, chronic conditions are permanent presences that may exist lifelong and usually need long term management. It requires utilization of whole human resources to support patient's care and self-care, maintain body functions, and prevent possible disability to the patient in the future (Johnson & Chang 2008).

In general, the terms disease and illness have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably; however, there is still a clear difference between them. Disease refers to the pathophysiology that leads to patient's body …show more content…

Nowadays and into the future, nurses will need to provide comprehensive service to the patient with chronic illness and/or disability under board range health care system; this requires nurses to obtain knowledge, skills, attitudes related to chronic illness care, and also to understand the patient and their families' who suffer from living with chronic conditions to provide optimal care for them (Johnson & Chang 2008). Hence, from a nursing perspective, appreciating illness includes all aspects of personhood that are influenced by the existence of a chronic condition and/or disability. It is more important than understanding basic disease

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