Care of patients with chronic disease: The challenge for general practice

• General practice can provide good quality care for a range of high-prevalence chronic diseases, at the same time providing continuity of care and management of comorbidity. • Although the quality of care for patients with chronic disease is improving in general practice, about half of patient care does not meet optimal standards. • Factors contributing to the gap between optimal and current practice include the method of financing, the availability of other disciplines to participate in team care, limited engagement with self-management education, and lack of information and decision support systems. • National initiatives and incentives have enhanced planned and systematic care in general practice, and some programs have been introduced to improve access to allied health care. • The number and complexity of programs, and, lack of integration between them are a significant administrative burden for general practice, and the financial incentives are small compared to overseas programs. A better integrated and more comprehensive strategy is required to achieve widespread and sustained improvements in the quality of care for people with chronic disease in general practice.