Which of the following is a core objective of delivery system design methods in the Chronic Care Model?

• A. Create proactive care teams that manage patient care between visits
• B. Increase administrative overhead
• C. Emphasize episodic, visit-based care only
• D. Rely solely on acute interventions

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is to structure care so that teams proactively manage patients between clinic visits, with clear roles and planned follow-up. Delivery system design in the Chronic Care Model focuses on creating proactive, coordinated care that continues outside of the actual appointment, using care teams to monitor and support patients between visits. This approach helps catch problems early, support self-management, and keep chronic conditions under regular review rather than waiting for the next office visit.

Proactive care teams are central because they enable ongoing communication, timely interventions, and coordinated actions across disciplines, which are key to improving outcomes in chronic disease management. Increasing administrative overhead is not a goal, and would detract from efficient, proactive care. Emphasizing episodic, visit-based care or relying solely on acute interventions would miss the continuous, between-visit management that the model promotes for better long-term control of chronic conditions.