Comparing the implementation of integrated care across countries: Your opinion counts!

Abstract

Background: Worldwide healthcare systems are piloting new integrated delivery and payment models to effectively manage care for the rising number of people with chronic diseases [1-11]. However, information about how clinical, professional, organizational, functional, normative and system elements influence the uptake of integrated care across different countries is currently lacking [12,13]. This poses significant challenges for stakeholders to support the effective deployment and evaluation of integrated care and its implementation in daily practice [14-16]. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize and compare the key elements that influence the implementation of integrated care initiatives across countries using the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care RMIC [17]. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study design will be used. A convenience sample of participants of the 18th International Conference on Integrated Care ICIC will be invited to participate in an online survey study. The Rainbow Model of Integrated Care Measurement Tool RMIC-MT [18,19] will be used to measure: four drivers person-centered care, service coordination, professional coordination, and organizational coordination, and four enablers community-centeredness, technical competence, cultural competence; and healthcare policy of the implementation of integrated care. Descriptive statistics mean, standard deviation, percentages will be used to compare countries. Results: Results of the study will be presented during a workshop at the 18th International Conference on Integrated Care in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The results can help stakeholders to make informed decisions about how to effectively implement integrated care programs across different cultural and organizational contexts. It is anticipated that the findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and presented in a variety of policy and science forums.