Chronic Vs Chronic Disease Essay

Seven in ten deaths in the United States, are attributable to chronic disease (“Leading Causes” 1). These diseases are not on account of bacteria or viruses, which could be treated with an appropriate prescription or vaccine. Chronic conditions are developed through unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors such as a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, poor sleeping habits, and substance use (e.g. tobacco). Consequently, seven in ten of every death can be prevented with changes in lifestyle. The CDC states that these conditions, “are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems” (“Chronic Disease” 1). Although these conditions have clear and definite causes (knowing the exact reason and “cure” for them), they are becoming more prevalent rather than domesticated. According to Wu and Green, “Between 2000 and 2030 the number of Americans with chronic conditions will increase by 37 percent, an increase of 46 million people” (1). This increase comes with an increase in health care costs: the CDC reported that the U.S. spent three trillion dollars on health care in 2014 (“Health Expenditures” 1). 86% of these costs was associated with these conditions (“Prevention” 1). Despite there being a range of causes of why patients make these choices, one issue that may be less familiar to others is the lack of knowledge in preventative medicine among health care professionals. Current training standards are not adequately educating or equipping health care professionals

Although the largest profession in the health care industry is nursing, a larger number of people are getting older and living longer. This means that more people will need nursing care, whether it’s in a hospital, a long-term care facility or at home. It is projected that long-term care facilities will need 66% more RNs by 2020 (Addressing the Nursing). The increase in life expectancy has amplified the complexity of health care because more people are living with chronic conditions. The American Nurses Association reported that “a large cross-sectional study of over 1,000,000 adults revealed that 82% had one or more chronic conditions” and we are seeing an increase of those age 65 and older living with multiple chronic conditions (Mion). Now, more than ever, there is a high demand for the best delivery of medical care.

Communication is key to effective healthcare practices. According to American Journal Of Critical Care (2014), Patient-centered care starts with “effective communication, being empathetic and available, avoiding personal prejudges, and listening therapeutically are integral parts of patient-centered care” (Riley, White, Graham, Alexandrov, 2014, p. 320). This will improve communication; promote patient involvement in care, which creates a positive relationship with the healthcare provider and medical team. This results in improved adherence to treatment plan. Clinical practice guidelines need to be implemented for the patient and family members to be able to be involved in informed decision-making regarding healthcare needs. The fundamental core of nursing is to have a partnership with the patient and their family regarding the patient’s outcome.

Education for the providers and patients both need to be more accessible. Providers education for screening, and implementation of a policy to set better guidelines for screening, needs to be created so that patients at risk can be educated soon rather than later on lifestyle changes. The education for patients needs to be more extensive in the office and also in the community where individuals are more likely to ask questions and be in an environment where they are more comfortable.

Many chronic conditions can greatly affect an individual physically with some sort of chronic pain, mentally with depression, and socially by rendering them unable to work (Harris & Wallace, 2012). These effects can thus put strain on families and society as more individuals suffer from various chronic conditions. In recent years, many of those working as health care professionals, such as primary care providers (PCPs) are affected greatly by the widespread prevalence of chronic disease in the US. For PCPs, approximately 75% of their patients schedule visits for multiple chronic illnesses (Zamosky, 2013). This has caused a shift in health care to focus on tertiary prevention in limiting comorbidities and issues associated with chronic diseases. PCPs face challenges by having less time to treat chronic disease because they only having have approximately eighteen minutes to deal with on average seven issues for each patient (Zamosky, 2013). Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage or charge more for people with preexisting conditions which includes those with chronic diseases (ObamaCare Facts, n.d.). The ACA helps people with chronic illnesses to obtain insurance; however, since these people are insured

When I became a nurse I knew I wanted to work in medicine dealing with patients suffering with chronic illness; I suffer from my own chronic illness known as Beta Sickle Thalassemia. Throughout the years my interaction with the Nurse practitioner in my Hematology/ Oncology has been enlightening. It has allowed me to see how I can be the driving force and a change agent for patients that suffer from chronic illness just like my own. For as long as I can remember I have always had a natural compassion for anyone in pain or discomfort whether physically or mentally. This empathy and compassion has trickled into the care I provide for my own patients and allows me to provide the best patient centered care I possibly can.

The Washington Post reported on June 16, “Once again, the United States has most the expensive, least effective health care system in survey.” It’s apparent that the United States healthcare system is in an economic crisis. Furthermore, the United States healthcare system is not only in economic turmoil, but the social systems currently in place offer little to no future economic resolve for the predicament we are currently situated in. The paradox that seems to have fallen upon American healthcare is that, “The system doesn’t want you to die, but at the same time doesn’t want you to get well.” Heineman (2012) It is bad business. In other words, medicine is a business and I have witnessed this approach towards business in medicine first hand in my over five years of clinical and business experience in the medical field.

Patient-Centered Care: Patients should have control over the care they receive. By involving patients and family members in their care it will result in better health outcomes. “The response of health care professionals to patients’ questions, concerns, and feedback directly influences how comfortable patients are with speaking up” (Spath, 2011, p. 236). As nurses we need to respect our patients’ wishes and give each

Chronic diseases are a tremendous burden on the health care system. The best way to reduce this

As millions of Americans suffer from the preventable illness and chronic disease, more than 75% of nation’s health spending is on treating the chronically ill people. The website

Before the health care reform, the common approach of care was writing prescriptions and performing procedures after a patient was already ill rather than focusing on preventing a patient from becoming ill or contracting debilitating and/or life threatening diseases and other illnesses. Going forward, times are changing and the insurance companies are now rewarding patients for being healthy with added benefits to promote health and wellness. The affordable care act has shifted the national approach of health care to prevention, early detection and safety as well as disease management. This shift of focus is a

Acute illness and chronic illness are different types of illnesses so there are different ways to approach treatment for them. Acute illnesses are those that have a shorter duration and will resolve with time and treatment usually within a few months. Chronic illness on the other hand, have a longer duration and may even be lifelong. The model used in chronic illness management is the chronic care model. This model includes six concepts and is used to manage chronic conditions and to improve the care that patients receive for their chronic medical conditions.

Often in practice, we as nurses deal with a variety of diseases and treatments and often have to react to the illness that the patient presents with upon our interaction. While this is an essential piece of our practice, we also have a duty to our patients to be proactive in preventing specific health-related consequences based on their risk factors and to promote their health and well being. Health promotion as it relates to nursing is about us empowering our patients to increase their control over their lives and well beings and includes: focusing on their health not just illness, empowering our patients, recognizing that health involves many dimensions and is also effected by factors outside of their control (Whitehead et al. 2008)..

Acute is a disease that last for just a short time but can begin rapidly and have intense symptoms. Chronic disease produces symptoms that last only for three months or more. Acute disease can be mild,serve or even fatal. Acute ear infections, sinus affections, bronchitis, stomach flu, UTI. It indicates how long the disease is going to last and how quickly it can develop as well. It can include as colds, influenza or strep throat. Chronic disease it can last for a long period of time and it can be like acute disease mild, serve or fatal too but, it can include cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes, digestive problems, weight gain, and skin rashes. With Chronic disease it can be develop over time. Many of the illness can occur

Chronicity is when an individual has a permanent disease or disability that involves the total human environment for supportive care and self-care, maintenance of function, prevention and further disability (Lubkin & Larsen, 2009, p. 6)