Tertiary prevention

Tertiary Prevention is a concept in medicine and public health that refers to measures taken to reduce the impact of an already established disease by restoring function and reducing disease-related complications. It is one of the three levels of disease prevention, the others being primary prevention and secondary prevention.

Overview

Tertiary prevention aims to soften the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. This can include efforts to improve the quality of life and reduce symptoms, but it also involves efforts to halt the progression of the disease and prevent further complications. This is done by helping people manage long-term, often-complex health problems and injuries (e.g., chronic diseases, permanent impairments) in order to improve as much as possible their ability to function, their quality of life, and their life expectancy.

Examples

Examples of tertiary prevention activities include rehabilitation, palliative care, and the management of long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These activities can involve a range of healthcare professionals and services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, dietetics, and social work.

Importance

Tertiary prevention is important because it aims to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. It can help to reduce the impact of the disease on the person's life, and can also help to prevent further complications or deterioration of the condition. This can lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

See also

• Primary prevention
• Secondary prevention
• Quaternary prevention
• Health promotion
• Disease management (health)

Tertiary prevention Resources
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