What’s integration got to do with it?

Observations and Lessons from the Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland Study Trip to North-West London.

The degree of integration of non-dispensing pharmacists in primary care practice and the impact on health outcomes: A systematic review

A non-dispensing pharmacist conducts clinical pharmacy services aimed at optimizing patients individual pharmacotherapy. Embedding a non-dispensing pharmacist in primary care practice enables collaboration, probably enhancing patient care. The degree of integration of non-dispending pharmacists into multidisciplinary health care teams varies strongly between settings. The degree of integration may be a determinant for its success. This study investigates how the degree of integration of a non-dispensing pharmacist impacts medication related health outcomes in primary care. 

Behavioural health consultants in integrated primary care teams: a model for future care

Significant challenges exist within primary care services in the United Kingdom (UK). These include meeting current demand, financial pressures, an aging population and an increase in multi-morbidity. Phychological services also struggle to meet waiting time targets and to ensure increased access to phychological therapies. Innovative ways of delivering effective primary care and phychological services are needed to improve health outcomes.

Patient perceptions of innovative longitudinal integrated clerkships based in regional, rural and remote primary care: a qualitative study

Medical students at the University of Wollomgong experience continuity of patien care and clinical supervision during an innovative year-long integrated (community and hospital) clinical clerkship. In this model of clinical education, students are base in a general practice "teaching microsystem" and participate in patient care as part of this community of practice (CoP). This study evaluates patient´s preceptions of the clerkship initiative, and their perspectives in this approach to training´much needed´doctors in their community. 

A Digital NHS? An introduction to the digital agenda and plans for implementation

Case Management for Patients with Complex Multimorbidity: Development and Validation of a Coordinated Intervention between Primary and Hospital Care

In the past few years, healthcare systems have been facing a growing demand related to the high prevalence of chronic diseases. Case management programs have emerged as an integrated care approach for the management of chronic desease. Nevertheless, there is little scientific evidence on the impact of using case management program for patients with complex multimorbidity regarding hospital resource utilisation. 

This study tested wheter improved continuity of care resulting from the integration of community-based and hospital services reduced the use of hospital resources amongst patientes with complex multimorbidity. 

The Impact of Integrated Psychological Services in a Safety Net Primary Care Clinic on Medical Utilization

The integration of phychological and behavioral health services into safety net primary care clinics has been viewed as a step toward reducing disparities in mental health treatment and addressing behavioral factors in chronic diseases. Though it is posited that integrated behavioral health (IBI) reduces preventable medical costs, this premise has yet to be tested in a safety net primary care clinic. 

Hospital-at-home Integrated Care Programme for the management of disabling health crises in older patients: comparison with bed-based Intermediate Care

This study analysed the clinical impact of a home-based intermediate Care model in the Catalan health system, comparing it with usual bed-based care to check if the extended CGA-based hospital-at-home programme has an association with shorter stay and favourable clinical outcomes and if is needed to do studies to test this intervention to the whole Catalan integrated care system. 

Impact of Integrated Care Model (ICM) on Direct Medical Costs in Management of Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a commonly diagnosed condition in people older than 50 years of age. In advance stage of this disease, integrated care (IC) is recommended as an optimal approach. IC allows for holistic and patient-focused care carried out at the patient´s home. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of IC on costs of care and on demand for medical services among patients included in IC. The high costs of care in advance COPD indicate the need for new forms of effective care. IC caussed a decrease in costs and in the ...

People powered primary care: learning from Halton

A community-centred approach to health called Community Wellbeing Practices (CWP) is being to patients at all 17 GP Practices in Halton in order to respond more appropriately to patients´social needs which are often an underlying reason for their presentation at primary care services.