New models for chronic disease management in the United States and China

Abstract

In the United States (US) the role of the general practitioner in primary care is changing rapidly as the team leader in the new "Patient-centered Medical Home" model of care that is designed to improve the management of chronic disease. The "Collaborative Care Model" is an integrated model of treating multiple medical and behavioral conditions. These new approaches include a nurse case manager who serves as the key point of contact to provide education, facilitate treatment adherence, and guide the patient to improvements in nutrition and physical activity that cause obesity and chronic disease. A gap analysis was conducted comparing the US and Chinese general practitioner models for providing care to patients with chronic diseases. The results of the analysis were used to make recommendations for adding components of these models that are feasible and effective for Chinese general practitioners in community health centers.