The chronic care model: Description and application for practice

The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is an organizing framework for improving chronic illness care and an excellent tool for improving care at both the individual and population level. The model is based on the assumption that improvement in care requires an approach that incorporates patient, provider, and system level interventions. The nurse practitioner and other advanced practice nurses are ideally suited for intervention through the CCM. The CCM is described and the evidence base for the effectiveness of the model is provided. Examples of application of the CCM in disease management and in a practice improvement project are provided.