Lesson One - Basic Principles
Completion requirements
Comparison
Comparing Acute and Chronic Illness
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Onset refers to when or how an illness starts or begins. Commonly associated with something unpleasant.
Acute: Symptoms most often develop quickly.
Chronic: Symptoms come on slowly and usually get worse over an extended time. A chronic illness can also develop from an acute illness.
Acute: Symptoms most often develop quickly.
Chronic: Symptoms come on slowly and usually get worse over an extended time. A chronic illness can also develop from an acute illness.
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Causes refers to the change in the body or disease that makes the illness happen.
Acute: Often caused by viruses or bacteria. They can also be a result of the misuse of drugs, medication, or alcohol.
Chronic: Can be caused by viruses or bacteria but are sometimes the result of genetic predispositions to disease, unhealthy lifestyle choices, environmental factors, social or emotional factors, ageing, or unknown causes.
Acute: Often caused by viruses or bacteria. They can also be a result of the misuse of drugs, medication, or alcohol.
Chronic: Can be caused by viruses or bacteria but are sometimes the result of genetic predispositions to disease, unhealthy lifestyle choices, environmental factors, social or emotional factors, ageing, or unknown causes.
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Duration refers to how long the illness lasts.
Acute: Lasts a short time, usually only a few days or weeks.
Chronic: Any illness that lasts longer than 6 months or has an indefinite timeline is considered chronic.
Acute: Lasts a short time, usually only a few days or weeks.
Chronic: Any illness that lasts longer than 6 months or has an indefinite timeline is considered chronic.
Early diagnosis accuracy refers to how likely the illness is to be identified correctly by medical professionals in the early stages.
*Over time medical research has improved early diagnosis accuracy for many acute and chronic conditions. This, along with the influence of bias, means that early diagnosis accuracy or uncertainty is not a recommended way to differentiate between acute and chronic illness.
*Over time medical research has improved early diagnosis accuracy for many acute and chronic conditions. This, along with the influence of bias, means that early diagnosis accuracy or uncertainty is not a recommended way to differentiate between acute and chronic illness.
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Test decisiveness refers to reliability of tests for this illness.
*Over time, medical research has improved the ability of many tests for reliability and certainty. However, it is not possible to directly test for some illnesses. Instead, tests are done to rule out other illnesses rather than to test for the illness itself.
*Over time, medical research has improved the ability of many tests for reliability and certainty. However, it is not possible to directly test for some illnesses. Instead, tests are done to rule out other illnesses rather than to test for the illness itself.
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Common or rare cure refers to treatment or medication that leads to the return of normal health.
Acute: Full returns to health are common.
(*Note: if a return to health does not happen within 6 months the illness is no longer classified as an acute illness.)
Chronic: Full returns to health are rare with chronic illness. Often treatment is focused on management rather than a cure.
Acute: Full returns to health are common.
(*Note: if a return to health does not happen within 6 months the illness is no longer classified as an acute illness.)
Chronic: Full returns to health are rare with chronic illness. Often treatment is focused on management rather than a cure.
The role of the professional refers to the role trained health professionals play in treatment and management of the condition.
For the most part, the role of professionals for acute and chronic illnesses is the same.
The exception to this is in an acute medical emergency when there is no time for a doctor to fully explain or explore various treatment options, or the patient is not able to make and communicate decisions.
The professional will decide if medication, hospitalization, surgery, or a referral to a specialist are needed and make recommendations for treatment.
For the most part, the role of professionals for acute and chronic illnesses is the same.
The exception to this is in an acute medical emergency when there is no time for a doctor to fully explain or explore various treatment options, or the patient is not able to make and communicate decisions.
The professional will decide if medication, hospitalization, surgery, or a referral to a specialist are needed and make recommendations for treatment.
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They will
- monitor side effects from the treatment.
- monitor the recovery process.
- make sure that the patient understands the illness and treatment recommendations.
- be open to any needs for changes to the health care plan.
This refers to the role the patient plays in their own care and a return to health or a better life.
In the past, patients were expected to take a passive role in their health care plan. They were expected to do as their doctors told them. Now, for the most part, patients are expected to take an active role in their health care plan for both acute and chronic illnesses.
The exception to this is in an acute medical emergency when there is no time for a doctor to fully explain or explore various treatment options, or the patient is not able to make and communicate decisions.
For more information visit Patients Are Important Members of the Healthcare Team.
In the past, patients were expected to take a passive role in their health care plan. They were expected to do as their doctors told them. Now, for the most part, patients are expected to take an active role in their health care plan for both acute and chronic illnesses.
The exception to this is in an acute medical emergency when there is no time for a doctor to fully explain or explore various treatment options, or the patient is not able to make and communicate decisions.
For more information visit Patients Are Important Members of the Healthcare Team.