Key Terms

acute disease

illness that develops quickly and lasts a relatively short period of time

acute exacerbation

sudden worsening of symptoms of a chronic disease

Chronic Care Model

model developed to guide the reorganization of health care delivery to effectively care for patients with chronic conditions

chronic disease

medical or health problem that lasts one year or more and requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living

chronic illness

human experience of living with a chronic disease

comorbidity

simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions

disability

limitation in function or performance of everyday activities

discrimination

unjust or prejudicial treatment of certain people, especially related to characteristics such as ethnicity, sex, age, or disability

disease burden

total effects of a disease on an individual or a society

polypharmacy

simultaneous use of multiple medications by a single patient