[Health according to standard or varied health? Management of chronic diseases].

The increasing proportion of people with chronic diseases makes changes in health care necessary. The question arises which socio-cultural, economic and personal factors as well as resources (available to the patient) influence the coping with the disease and the utiliation of health services. Only an analysis of the key factors influencing the management of a (chronic) disease enables us to offer demand-oriented and effective support services. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.