WHO: What is people-centred care?

Globally, 1 in 20 people still lacks access to essential health services that could be delivered at a local clinic instead of a hospital. And where services are accessible, they are often fragmented and of poor quality. WHO is supporting countries to progress towards universal health coverage by designing health systems around the needs of people instead of diseases and health institutions, so that everyone gets the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

WHO: What is people-centred care?

Globally, 1 in 20 people still lacks access to essential health services that could be delivered at a local clinic instead of a hospital. And where services are accessible, they are often fragmented and of poor quality. WHO is supporting countries to progress towards universal health coverage by designing health systems around the needs of people instead of diseases and health institutions, so that everyone gets the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

Integrated team working: a literature review

This literature review was conducted to provide a background understanding of the literature around integrated health and social care prior to a research proyect evaluating two integrated health and social care teams in England, UK. 

Managing multimorbidity: profiles of integrated care approaches targeting people with multiple chronic conditions in Europe

In response to the growing populations of people with multiple chronic deseases, new models of care are currently being developed in European countries to better meet the needs of these people. This paper aims to describe the occurrence and characteristics of various types of ntegrated care practices in European countries that target people with multimorbidity.

An Evaluation of the Role of an Intermediate Care Facility in the Continuum of Care in Western Cape, South Africa

A comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) approach requires clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa is a lower- middle income country (LMIC) that lacks data on the role of intermediate care (IC) services in the health system. This study described the model of service provision at one facility in Cape Town, including reason for admission, the mix of services and skills provided and needed, patient satisfaction, patient outcome and articulation with other services across the spectrum of care. 

Ghana country assessment report on ageing and health

Ghana, like many other countries, is experiencing a demographic transition with its ageing population. To provide reliable evidence for policy-making in ageing and health, this assessment report is prepared to identify priority issues on ageing in Ghana. By reviewing evidence from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) in Ghana and other sources, this document reveals the health status of older people in Ghana as well as the health systems response and policies relevant to ageing. The report also proposed 5 priorities relating to the prevention, treatment and care needs of older people in Ghana.

Research in Integrated Care: The Need for More Emergent, People-Centred Approaches

The International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC) recently celebrated its 20^th International Conference (ICIC20) through a virtual event that brought together patients and carers, academics, care professionals, NGOs, policy-makers and industry partners from across the global integrated care community. The International Journal for Integrated Care (IJIC) used this opportunity to host a workshop on published research in integrated care, specifically to reflect on the quality of existing scientific enquiry. A lively discussion on the current state of integrated care research concluded that there remained significant shortcomings to current methodologies – for example, in their ability to provide the depth of understanding required to support the knowledge needed to best inform policy and practice, particularly when addressing people-centredness. In part, the debate recognized how the nature of existing research funding, and prevailing attitudes and preferences towards certain research methodologies, were partly to blame (as has been noted by IJIC previously). The ...

Consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown in patients with chronic diseases in Andalusia

COVID-19 affects individuals in different ways. Most infected patients develop a mild to moderate form of the disease and recover without hospitalization but adults of any age living with chronic conditions have an increased risk of serious symptoms and severe form of illness. Based on current evidence, conditions that increase risk include asthma, hypertension or high blood pressure, overweight or type 1 diabetes mellitus (ECDC, 2020). The threat to these patients is twofold, forcing them to avoid infection at the same time as their care routines are affected by the health protection measures put in place by governments. A better understanding of those impacts helps health systems to prepare adequately to provide patient-centered care during the pandemic.

A new study conducted by our team of the “School of Patients” researchers, has systematically explored these insights throught the stories of 34 chronically ill persons from the Andalusian region, at the South ...

Older Adults’ Demand for Integrated Care and Its Influencing Factors: A Scoping Review

Integration has become a major concern for governments, healthcare and aged care systems in many countries. However, the research on and implementation of integrated care in China started relatively late, and there is no review on the needs of older adults with regard to integrated care and the influencing factors. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a scoping review by searching, evaluating, and summarizing the Chinese and international literature on the need for and the factors influencing integrated care for older people. In addition, this review highlights evidence of the gap between China and the world in integrated care.

The Post–COVID-19 Case for Primary Care

Much has been written and discussed about challenges faced by the US health care system, with most of it justifiably concerning the payment system for medical services, and how that leaves an unconscionably large proportion of US residents uninsured or underinsured for quality care. Although payment systems are undoubtedly a challenge and merit substantial conversation, the structure of US health care delivery also leaves much to be desired.

Central to that problem is the paucity of primary care physicians in the US. The approximately 200 000 active primary care physicians in the US represent about 30% of all active physicians, down from 32% about 10 years ago. About 28% of men and 17% of women report they do not have a primary care physician. The Council on Graduate Medical Education recommended an increase in the proportion of primary care physicians to 40%, a recommendation now further from reality than ...

AICIC23 All-Ireland Conference on Integrated Care | 23 March 2022 | Dublin UCD