Chronic illness in a general practice.

A study of chronic problems among 11416 patients in a metropolitan group practice in Australia is reported. The study was designed to ascertain the significance of chronic problems in the community by determining prevalence rates for the practice population. The data were obtained from the practice records. Chronic problems had been defined and recorded by the practice doctors for a period of five years. There were 296 separate problems which were divided into organic, psychosocial, or undifferentiated types. Half of the patients had chronic problems. The incidence of chronic problems increased with age but was highest in the 20-30 years and 50-60 years age groups. There was an average of 2.32 problems per patient. Females had problems more often than males and also a greater number of problems, particularly of a psychosocial nature (1.9:1). Prevalence rates for the 50 most common problems are listed. It was concluded that chronic health problems are significant in all age groups and that general practice has a most important role in the provision of continuing care for these patients.