Uncertainty: a key characteristic of chronic illness and a major problem for managed care

Abstract

In the continuing debate among health care providers, policy makers, and medical sociologists, on reforming the delivery of health care, it is necessary to address the social as well as the medical management of services provided to those whose special health care needs have thus far been inadequately met: chronically ill persons. Through analysis of data collected as part of a larger study concerning the experiences of non-hospitalized chronically ill persons, uncertainty, a key characteristic of chronic illness was identified as causing the most problems to ill persons and to those delivering their health care. This uncertainty factor, a nonmedical yet illness related problem was mentioned by all respondents much more than their medical difficulties, financial burdens, and their frustrations with health care professionals. This chapter focuses on the impact uncertainty has for chronically ill persons and particularly, the problems it creates for those treated in managed care programs.

Citation

Royer, A. (2000), "Uncertainty: a key characteristic of chronic illness and a major problem for managed care", Jacobs Kronenfeld, J. (Ed.) Health, Illness, and use of Care: The Impact of Social Factors (Research in the Sociology of Health Care, Vol. 18), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 269-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0275-4959(00)80032-0