Disease Process

Select a disease process from among the following:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Coronary artery disease
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer (lung, colon, breast)

In the next week, you will trace the continuum of care for this disease process in your own geographic region. Select a specific payer type before beginning. Be sure to collect information on the following:

• Socioeconomic issues
• Primary care
• Specialist referrals
• Outpatient services
• Hospital care
• Tertiary care, if appropriate
• Rehabilitation care, if appropriate
• Managed care issues
• Quality-of-care issues
• Total cost of care

Compare the pathogens discussed in the previous chapters with zoonotic pathogens.

• Discuss what the different characteristics are
• Describe how they cause disease
• Explain the transmission processes.