Primary careâ??s multifaceted chronic disease challenges

Isabelle Laurent

doi:10.35841/aapcgp-8.4.218

Opinion Article - Journal of Primary Care and General Practice (2025) Volume 8, Issue 4

Primary careâ??s multifaceted chronic disease challenges

Isabelle Laurent^*

Department of Epidemiology, Sorbonne University, Paris, France

*Corresponding Author:: Isabelle Laurent
Department of Epidemiology
Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
E-mail: isabelle.laurent@sorbonne.fr

Received : 07-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. aapcgp-217; Editor assigned : 11-Nov-2025, PreQC No. aapcgp-217(PQ); Reviewed : 01-Dec-2025, QC No aapcgp-217; Revised : 10-Dec-2025, Manuscript No. aapcgp-217(R); Published : 19-Dec-2025 , DOI : 10.35841/aapcgp-8.4.217

Citation: Laurent I. Primary care's multifaceted chronic disease challenges. aapcgp. 2025;08(04):217.

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Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the management of chronic diseases in primary care, leading to reduced access to care, compromised medication adherence, and missed routine screenings for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. This period intensified existing health disparities, particularly affecting vulnerable populations reliant on primary care, while concurrently accelerating the adoption of telemedicine, which brought both advantages and new challenges for continuous chronic illness care [1].

Primary care settings are vital for identifying and managing common mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, serving as the initial contact point for many individuals. Key factors such as socioeconomic status, co-occurring chronic physical conditions, and available social support play a crucial role in the presentation of these mental health issues, advocating for integrated care models to address the complex relationship between physical and mental well-being [2].

Vaccine hesitancy among primary care patients stems from various factors, including a lack of trust in healthcare institutions, concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, the pervasive influence of social media misinformation, and differing religious or philosophical beliefs. Primary care physicians, by virtue of their established patient relationships, are uniquely positioned to address these concerns through effective communication strategies, personalized education, and a deep understanding of individual patient perspectives to enhance vaccine uptake [3].

Multimorbidity, defined as the presence of two or more chronic conditions, is an increasing burden within primary care populations, notably among older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. This trend creates considerable demands on primary care services, necessitating more intricate care coordination, individualized treatment plans, and a shift from single-disease approaches to a more comprehensive, patient-centered care model [4].

Suboptimal medication adherence is a prevalent issue among older adults with chronic conditions in primary care, profoundly affecting treatment efficacy and overall health outcomes. Contributing factors include complex medication schedules, polypharmacy, forgetfulness, insufficient understanding of prescribed treatments, and financial constraints, underscoring the critical need for patient education, simplified regimens, and consistent medication reviews to improve adherence and patient well-being [5].

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted cancer screening initiatives within primary care, leading to widespread reductions in screenings for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. These disruptions, largely due to patient fear of infection, resource reallocation, and lockdown measures, risk delayed diagnoses and potentially adverse long-term cancer outcomes. There is a pressing need for primary care to recover and innovate in screening delivery, using telemedicine and community outreach to mitigate the pandemic's lasting effects and ensure equitable access to preventive care [6].

Contemporary approaches to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment in primary care are critical for identifying high-risk individuals and guiding preventive interventions. The effectiveness of various risk stratification tools, ranging from traditional calculators to those incorporating socioeconomic and genetic factors, is being evaluated. Challenges include inconsistencies in guideline application and a need for better integration of culturally sensitive tools applicable across diverse patient populations [7].

Achieving optimal glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes managed in primary care remains a significant challenge, with many not meeting targets and thus facing an elevated risk of complications. Factors such as prolonged disease duration, existing multimorbidity, lower educational levels, and inadequate adherence to treatment and lifestyle recommendations contribute to poor control, highlighting the necessity for enhanced patient education and personalized follow-up in primary care [8].

Health promotion interventions delivered in primary care settings, particularly those focused on lifestyle modifications like increased physical activity, healthy eating, and smoking cessation, have demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving patient health outcomes and reducing chronic disease risk. Tailored, patient-centered strategies and the integration of these activities into routine consultations are crucial, with multidisciplinary teams and digital health tools potentially enhancing their impact [9].

Antibiotic prescribing patterns in primary care are influenced by diagnostic uncertainty, patient expectations, time pressures, and perceived patient demands, often leading to inappropriate use. Interventions such as educational programs for prescribers, audit and feedback systems, and improved patient communication are effective in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, underscoring the vital role of antimicrobial stewardship in combating antibiotic resistance and preserving medication effectiveness [10].

Conclusion

Primary care faces ongoing challenges in managing chronic diseases, exacerbated significantly by global health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruptions in chronic disease management, impacting access to care, medication adherence, and routine screenings for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, especially for vulnerable populations. Similarly, cancer screening programs in primary care saw reduced rates due to fear of infection and resource reallocation, leading to concerns about delayed diagnoses and poorer long-term outcomes. Beyond pandemic-related issues, primary care is a crucial point of contact for mental health disorders, with prevalence influenced by socioeconomic status and chronic physical conditions. Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier to public health, driven by distrust, safety concerns, and misinformation, emphasizing the central role of primary care physicians in patient education and communication. The growing burden of multimorbidity, particularly among older adults, demands a shift towards holistic, patient-centered care models, challenging existing single-disease focused approaches. Medication adherence among older adults with chronic conditions is often suboptimal, influenced by complex regimens and financial barriers, highlighting the need for tailored interventions and patient education. Effective glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients is frequently not met, linked to longer disease duration and poor adherence, necessitating enhanced education and personalized care plans. Cardiovascular disease risk assessment needs better integration into routine practice, using comprehensive tools that consider diverse patient populations. Health promotion interventions focusing on lifestyle changes like physical activity and healthy eating show promise in improving outcomes when integrated into routine consultations. Finally, antibiotic prescribing patterns in primary care are often inappropriate due to diagnostic uncertainty and patient pressure, making antimicrobial stewardship vital to combat resistance.