This book focuses on optimizing management and outcomes rather than on routine diagnosis of chronic disease. The reader learns proven methods for treating the most common chronic conditions that they see in daily practice. Chapters are structured to help physicians adopt evidence-based management techniques specific for each condition. Special emphasis is placed on the use of action plans and educational resources for promoting patient self-management.

In this ground-breaking new work, Patrick J McEvoy connects with healthcare professionals, patients and illness to presenting an entirely new way to address chronic disease management.By reflecting on the very nature of chronic disease, rather than focusing on its consequences, the book sheds new light on the complex realities of general practice,

"Overall, the book walks a delicate balance between evidence and advocacy regarding the care of people with chronic conditions. Nolte and McKee conclude the volume with the following: 'A first step is to recognize that something must be done. A second, which we hope will be facilitated by the evidence provided in this book, is to realize that something actually can be done, and that they can do it (p. 240)'. The overarching desire to match the need for evidence with the reality that advocates (including policy-makers) need a reasoned voice makes the book well suited to health policy deliberations." International Journal of Integrated Care The complex nature of many chronic diseases, which affect people many different ways, requires a multifaceted response that will meet the needs of the individual patient. Yet while everyone agrees that the traditional relationship between an individual patient and a single doctor is inappropriate, there is much less agreement about what should replace it. Many countries are now experimenting with new approaches to delivering care in ways that do meet the complex needs of people with chronic disorders, redesigning delivery systems to coordinate activities across the continuum of care. Yet while integration and coordination have an intuitive appeal, policy makers have had little to help them decide how to move forward. The book systematically examines some of the key issues involved in the care of those with chronic diseases. It synthesises the evidence on what we know works (or does not) in different circumstances. From an international perspective, it addresses the prerequisites for effective policies and management of chronic disease. Taking a whole systems approach, the book: Describes the burden of chronic disease in Europe Explores the economic case for investing in chronic disease management Examines key challenges posed by the growing complexity in healthcare including prevention, the role of self-management, the healthcare workforce, and decision-support Examines systems for financing chronic care Analyses the prerequisites for effective policies for chronic care Caring for People with Chronic Conditions is key reading for health policy makers and health care professionals, as well as postgraduate students studying health policy, health services research, health economics, public policy and management. Contributors: Reinhard Busse, Elisabeth Chan, Anna Dixon, Carl-Ardy Dubois, Isabelle Durand-Zaleski, Daragh K Fahey, Nicholas Glasgow, Monique Hejmans, Izzat Jiwani, Martyn Jones, Cécile Knai, Nicholas Mays, Martin McKee, Ellen Nolte, Thomas E Novotny, Joceline Pomerleau, Mieke Rijken, Dhigna Rubiano, Debbie Singh, Marc Suhrcke.

This book brings together the approaches adopted by eight countries to address the policy issues necessary to provide high-quality and affordable health andsocial care for people suffering from chronic disease.

This book aims to redefine the requirements of an effective care for the chronic diseases, and their difficulties of implementation; to analyze the processes allowing to reinforce quality and to contain the costs and the expenditure related to this care; and to release the dynamic processes of development of an efficient care, the organisational forms and the corresponding strategies.

This issue covers topics central to the management of the patient with a chronic disease by taking a comprehenisve look at: Successful/Innovative Models in Chronic Disease Management, The Patient-Centered Medical Home, Self-Management Education and Support, Major Pharmacologic Issues in Chronic Disease Management, Health Information Technology, Community-Based Partnerships for Improving Chronic Disease Management, and Effective Strategies for Behavioral Change, Diabetes Management, CHF Management, Asthma Management, and Depression Management.

Chronic Disease Management: Clinical Pathways and Guidelines is a companion volume to another Aspen manual, Chronic Disease Patient Education Manual. This manual provides clinicians with clinical pathways and guidelines that span the continuum of care for the five chronic disease states. In addition, it addresses the essentials of administering a disease management program, with information on developing and implementing clinical guidelines/pathways; measuring and managing outcomes; and monitoring and improving patient satisfaction. Chronic Disease Management with its pathways and guidelines covering the entire health care continuum is an ideal resource for providers and payers struggling to render seamless, cost-effective, and outcome-oriented care.

Chronic conditions and diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Europe, accounting for 86% of total premature deaths, and research suggests that complex conditions such as diabetes and depression will impose an even greater health burden in the future - and not only for the rich and elderly in high-income countries, but increasingly for the poor as well as low- and middle-income countries. The epidemiologic and economic analyses in the first part of the book suggest that policy-makers should make chronic disease a priority. This book highlights the issues and focuses on the strategies and interventions that policy-makers have at their disposal to tackle this increasing challenge. Strategic discussed in the second part of this volume include (1) prevention and early detection, (2) new provider qualifications (e.g. nurse practitioners) and settings, (3) disease management programmes and (4) integrated care models. But choosing the right strategies will be difficult, particularly given the limited evidence on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. In the third part, the book therefore outlines and discusses institutional and organizational challenges for policy-makers and managers: (1) stimulating the development of new effective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, (2) designing appropriate financial incentives, (3) improving coordination, (4) using information and communication technology, and (5) ensuring evaluation. To tackle these challenges successfully, key policy recommendations are made.