As the European population ages, the burden of multi-morbidity will increase. An increasing number of people are dealing with multiple chronic diseases. Thus, ensuring the delivery of integrated care is essential to providing appropriate treatment across the healthcare continuum, including rapid response to pandemic breaks. This paper aims to highlight some of the key principles of integrated care. This article aims to inform policymakers and decision makers on the best practices for achieving a high standard of health care.
Despite the widespread use of IPU, there are still several limitations. The lack of a common definition can be confusing. Although many terms have been used, the most widely accepted definition of integrated care was put forward by Kodner and Spreeuwenberg (2002). Ultimately, the concept of integrated care is a collaborative effort that creates a link between the care and cure sectors.
To identify the most promising studies, a systematic review of the English language literature was conducted in five electronic databases. The reviewers chose to limit the search to studies published between 1995 and 2018. The most common terms were ageing, integrated care, length of stay, satisfaction, mortality, and rehospitalisation. The results were summarized in Appendix A. The results are also available on Prospero.
A key component of an effective IPU is the regular review of each patient case by a multidisciplinary team. The review must identify the diagnosis and plan of treatment. The review must be conducted effectively by all involved professionals. The outcomes of the care should be regularly assessed and communicated. In addition, the performance of the entire team and individual members should be evaluated transparently. The integrated primary care team will make a significant impact on a population.
There are several advantages of integrated care. It is an integral part of care and can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. In addition to reducing the cost, integrated care improves the quality of life and increases the patient satisfaction. It also lowers the incidence of mortality and improves the quality of life. By incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to health care, hospitals can offer better services.
The most important factor for an effective IPU is the regular review of case studies. Case reviews are vital in determining the right treatment plan. It is also crucial to have effective communication with other stakeholders outside the IPU. The primary care team should integrate with other specialists on a regular basis. For example, reviewing patients with complex medical problems should be a regular occurrence.
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown that the incidence of these diseases is highest in countries that have universal health coverage. However, it is often difficult to access coordinated care for these people due to their multiple chronic conditions. This makes it crucial to provide quality, integrated care at all levels of the health system.
When evaluating the effectiveness of integrated care, studies on patient-related outcomes have shown mixed results. Some studies have focused on a single medical condition, such as diabetes. Others have incorporated all of the components of integrated care, focusing on prevention and treatment. By focusing on prevention and early detection, the model improves the overall health of patients. The integrated care framework is more efficient than a standardized one.
The study also found that there was a positive impact on mortality rates outside high-income countries. This increase may be due to improved survival and a higher number of adolescents and adults requiring care. It also highlighted the benefits of integrated care. In fact, the prevalence of chronic diseases has risen by almost half in high-income countries since 1995. The population of such countries is growing rapidly, so it is expected to continue to rise.
