What can improve chronic disease care?

Chronic disease care is a central part of geriatrics. The rise in chronic disease draws attention to the need to find better ways to deliver effective care. This essay examines the effectiveness of several strategies for providing better chronic disease care, reviewing the literature and relying on extant reviews whenever possible. The evidence of effectiveness is mixed; a few areas show promise. The case for cost-effectiveness is even less strong. New strategies may be indicated, including more-proactive monitoring of clinical courses and assessing patients' readiness to participate actively in their own care.