Acute and chronic

These two words appear often in referral letters and allied health reports. Acute is used for something that starts suddenly, such as a new injury, and is often brief, intense and severe. Chronic is used for conditions that persist, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease or ongoing back pain. For pain, health services usually call it chronic or persistent when it lasts for more than 3 months, beyond the time expected for healing.

In an allied health report, acute or chronic tells the reader what stage a problem is at, and that shapes the plan. Care for an acute problem often focuses on settling symptoms and protecting healing tissue. Care for a chronic condition focuses on long-term self-management, staying active and preventing the condition from getting worse. Chronic does not mean nothing can be done. If you are unsure what a word in your report means, ask your clinician to explain it.