What to Do if You Have Multiple Medical Problems

What to Do ifYou Have Multiple Medical Problems ! Who has multiple medical problems? Millions of Americans have multiple medical problems—two or more medical conditions that require the care of different doctors. For example, a patient may see different... More

What to Do ifYou Have
Multiple Medical Problems
!
Who has multiple medical problems?
Millions of Americans have multiple medical
problems—two or more medical conditions that
require the care of different doctors. For example,
a patient may see different doctors to manage his
arthritis, diabetes and stroke recovery. The
percentage of Americans with multiple medical
problems increases with age, ranging from 10 percent
of those age 0-19 years old to almost 80 percent for
those more than 80 years old. About 20 percent of
Medicare beneficiaries have five or more chronic
medical problems. Treatments for multiple medical
problems must be managed together to prevent
harmful risks that may result when caring for
separate illnesses on an individual basis.
What are the results of
multiple medical problems?
• Diagnostic tests or drugs for one condition may
create unexpected negative side effects with
other conditions.
• Patients with multiple medical problems are
more likely to have complications, Less