Chronic illness in non-institutionalized persons. Part II. Who cares?

A survey was conducted to evaluate the care being received by non-institutionalized chronically ill persons in the Black, Coloured and White communities residing in the Municipality of Cape Town. Of the chronically ill persons identified, 170 (71%) of the Blacks, 188 (62%) of the Coloureds and 43 (86%) of the Whites were receiving care at the time of the survey, and the type, location and duration of this care are outlined. Only 26% of the chronically ill persons were considered to be receiving optimal care, and new recommendations for care were made for 201 (84%) of the Blacks, 203 (67%) of the Coloureds and 36 (72%) of the Whites. Of the patients for whom new recommendations were made, 37% were not currently receiving any care. The financial and occupational repercussions of chronic illness are considered, and methods of improving the comprehensive care of chronically ill persons are discussed.