Finding common ground: patient-centeredness and evidence-based chronic illness care

J Altern Complement Med. 2005:11 Suppl 1:S7-15. doi: 10.1089/acm.2005.11.s-7.

Abstract

Health outcomes for patients with major chronic illnesses depend on the appropriate use of proven pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic technologies, and effective self-management by patients. Effective chronic illness care then bases clinical decisions on the best, rigorous scientific evidence, or evidence-based medicine. Effective support for patient self-management includes efforts to increase patient participation in care and collaborative goal-setting and planning of treatment. These interventions appear somewhat consistent with recent conceptualizations of patient-centered care. The consistent delivery of proven therapies and information and support for self-management requires practice systems organized for that purpose. The Chronic Care Model is a compilation of those practice system changes shown to improve chronic care. This paper explores the concept of patient-centeredness and its relationship to the Chronic Care Model. We conclude that the Model is both evidence-based and patient-centered and that these can be properties of health systems, and not just of individual practitioners.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease / therapy*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine*
  • Health Education / organization & administration*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Models, Organizational
  • Patient Care Planning / organization & administration*
  • Patient Participation
  • Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration*
  • Quality of Health Care / organization & administration
  • United States