Augmented care: An alternative model of care for people with chronic disease

Abstract

This opinion piece challenges the concept of ‘patient’ and discusses an alternative aspect to delivering health care for those with chronic disease. Chronic conditions are defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as illnesses requiring ongoing management over a long period of time and may address a wide range of health issues. Success is highly dependent upon optimised patient empowerment. I argue that it is not health care that really matters but opportunities to build upon optimising wellness. This leads to the idea where I suggest that current health system rigidities inadvertently promote illness.