L Corral Gudino1, L A Rodríguez Arroyo2, L M Zorita-Viota Sánchez3. 1. Servicio de Medicina Interna, Unidad de Calidad y Seguridad del Paciente, Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, León, España; Gerencia de Asistencia Sanitaria El Bierzo (GASBI), Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, León, España. Electronic address: lcorral@saludcastillayleon.es. 2. Unidad de Docencia y Formación, GASBI, Ponferrada, León, España; Gerencia de Asistencia Sanitaria El Bierzo (GASBI), Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, León, España. 3. Dirección Médica, GASBI, Ponferrada, León, España; Gerencia de Asistencia Sanitaria El Bierzo (GASBI), Hospital El Bierzo, Ponferrada, León, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Integrated care is a top priority for most of the National Health Services. In this study, an evaluation is made on the professional's beliefs and expectations regarding integration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March and June 2017, Health Professionals from El Bierzo, León, Spain, were invited to complete 2 questionnaires on health integration process, including an online questionnaire on patient care integration (405 and 211 participants, respectively out of the total 1854 professionals). RESULTS: Three out of four professionals pointed at communication as the most important factor to achieve integration. Medical records, Health Care Education and medication reconciliation were the other prioritised factors. Care pathways (98%), nurse navigator (93%) or shared care protocols (92%) were highly recommended. The entire Hospital Service (55%) was the preferred link, with Primary Care versus a single consultant for every Primary Care Centre (29%), or for all the whole area (16%).There were no differences between primary and hospital services in most of the tools assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Communication tools are the cornerstone to achieve a successful integration of the care services according to Health Professionals.
INTRODUCTION: Integrated care is a top priority for most of the National Health Services. In this study, an evaluation is made on the professional's beliefs and expectations regarding integration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between March and June 2017, Health Professionals from El Bierzo, León, Spain, were invited to complete 2 questionnaires on health integration process, including an online questionnaire on patient care integration (405 and 211 participants, respectively out of the total 1854 professionals). RESULTS: Three out of four professionals pointed at communication as the most important factor to achieve integration. Medical records, Health Care Education and medication reconciliation were the other prioritised factors. Care pathways (98%), nurse navigator (93%) or shared care protocols (92%) were highly recommended. The entire Hospital Service (55%) was the preferred link, with Primary Care versus a single consultant for every Primary Care Centre (29%), or for all the whole area (16%).There were no differences between primary and hospital services in most of the tools assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Communication tools are the cornerstone to achieve a successful integration of the care services according to Health Professionals.
Keywords:
Communication; Comunicación; Continuidad de la atención al paciente; Continuity of patient care; Delivery of health care integrated; Encuestas y cuestionarios; Inter-professional relationships; Prestación integrada de atención de salud; Relaciones interprofesionales; Surveys and questionnaires