Understanding chronic illness from the patient's perspective.
As deaths from infectious diseases have declined, more Americans are living longer and developing chronic illnesses. This article examines the physical and social-psychological demands illness places on such patients and the implications for health care. It also examines, through a review of pertinent literature, the traditional Western model that informs medical practice. The article suggests that technical treatment, coupled with awareness of a patient's illness experience, perspective and work in the medical setting, leads to approaches that are healing.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA.
L W
LW
Carroll
D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans