Perspectives of Chronic Illness

The increasing numbers of aged and chronically ill persons in the community have created a major problem for the medical profession. The psychological and social accompaniments of chronic illness are important features of chronic illness that merit detailed analysis by the physician. He must recognize and review from time to time not only what the patient expects of him but also what he expects of the patient. The appropriate management of these aspects of chronic illness—in addition to the physical and pharmacologic measures—may provide a useful avenue of medical care which will significantly modify the patient's response to the illness.