Use Your Words Carefully: What Is a Chronic Disease?

Frontiers in Public Health

Stephanie Bernell¹ 

关键词: chronic disease;    chronic illness;    HIV;    health policy;    health knowledge;    chronic conditions;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2016.00159

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

One important element of effective communication is having a shared language or at least a shared understanding of the meaning of the central words used in a conversation. One term that is often used in discussions between patients and medical providers, in the academic literature, and in policy discussions, is “chronic disease.” There is not only tremendous variation in the diseases that are included under the umbrella term “chronic disease” but also variation in the time a disease must be present for something to be referred to as chronic. Furthermore, there is a move to include chronic conditions that are not indicators of disease, but long-standing functional disabilities, including developmental disorders and visual impairment (1–4).

【 授权许可】

CC BY