How does the chronic care model differ from the acute care model in the management of noncommunicable diseases?

The chronic care model differs from the acute care model by managing noncommunicable diseases over time through an integrated care delivery model, rather than treating only acute phases in an acute care setting. It shifts the focus to long-term management in the community, with the goal of decreasing morbidity and mortality. The model also relies on an informed, activated patient interacting with a prepared, proactive practice team, supported by community resources, self-management support, decision support, and clinical information systems.

According to the source, care for noncommunicable diseases is moving away from an acute care model to a chronic care model. The acute care model focuses on treating acute phases of a disease, often within an acute care facility and typically at the end stages of disease. In contrast, the chronic care model manages the disease over time and focuses on decreasing morbidity and mortality through an integrated care delivery model. This requires health-care providers to reframe care from treatment of acute episodes to long-term management in the community. The chronic care model includes elements such as organization of health care, delivery system design, decision support, clinical information systems, self-management support, and community resources and policies. It emphasizes productive interactions between an informed, activated patient and a prepared, proactive practice team to achieve improved outcomes.