Table 1 Descriptors for complexity of patient presentation
Presentation Complexity | Descriptors |
|---|---|
Acute | new and potentially infectious, inflammatory, and life-threatening until investigated and diagnosed, can be on back of a chronic issue |
Chronic | anything the patient and/or doctor knew about already, that is for ongoing management, or risk factors and longstanding conditions (mental, physical) or ageing |
Complex | multiple issues of medical and psychosocial nature beyond simply chronic disease management or managing one risk factor |
Simple | episodic care / follow-up, prescriptions, or medical/Centrelink forms - something that only needs one appointment to do |