Managing Chronic Conditions: Lessons Learnt from a Comparative Analysis of Seven Years' Policies for Chronic Care Patients in Italy.

Lucia Ferrara,Angelica Zazzera,Valeria D Tozzi

doi:10.5334/ijic.5686

Lucia Ferrara, Angelica Zazzera + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.5686

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Abstract

This policy paper aims to compare what policies are developed in Italy for the management of chronic patients in order to improve population health, quality of care and patient experience and reduce per-capita cost. The paper also aims to identify the key trends and evolutionary trajectories across the Country.Methodology:The analysis focuses on 10 Italian Regions and the time span of observation is 7 years (from 2014 to 2020). Data collection and analysis adopts mixed methods in order to have a more in-depth picture of the contextual factors, mechanisms and outcomes. It includes a desk research of the literature and documentary analysis; semi-structured interviews; a theory driven evaluation of 12 programmes identified at the regional level; and a Consensus Conference to discuss and validate the results with an Expert Panel Group.Conclusions:The paper firstly describes the main policies developed in Italy in the last seven years; secondly, it discusses six main trends and clusters them into three strategies: demand management strategies; strategies to improve the management of comorbid and frail patients; and strategies to improve the coordination between levels of care and the patient journey; thirdly, it discusses eight trends and evolutionary trajectories which are now emerging.

Highlights

The management of chronic conditions has represented one of the primary targets of the Italian National Health Service (NHS) in the last years, and has it has been one of the main topics on the political agenda
The paper firstly describes the main policies developed in Italy in the last seven years; secondly, it discusses six main trends and clusters them into three strategies: demand management strategies; strategies to improve the management of comorbid and frail patients; and strategies to improve the coordination between levels of care and the patient journey; thirdly, it discusses eight trends and evolutionary trajectories which are emerging
Four years after the publication of the National Chronicity Plan (NCP), this policy paper aims to: i) analyse what programs have been developed at the regional level; ii) understand what are the developing trends beyond such programs; iii) share the lessons learned and future directions on chronic disease management

Summary

Introduction

The management of chronic conditions has represented one of the primary targets of the Italian National Health Service (NHS) in the last years, and has it has been one of the main topics on the political agenda. The National Chronicity Plan (NCP - Piano Nazionale della Cronicità; Ministry of Health, 2016) [1] put the spotlight on the topic of chronic disease management and gave an important boost to the implementation of regional policies and programs on chronic diseases. Four years after the publication of the NCP, this policy paper aims to: i) analyse what programs have been developed at the regional level; ii) understand what are the developing trends beyond such programs; iii) share the lessons learned and future directions on chronic disease management

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Discussion

Conclusion