Prioritization of implementation barriers related to integrated care models in Central and Eastern European countries. Issue 11 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Csanádi, Marcell; Kaló, Zoltán; Rutten-van Molken, Maureen; Looman, Willemijn; Huic, Mirjana; Ercevic, Darija; Atanasijevic, Dragana; Lorenzovici, László; Petryszyn, Paweł; Pogány, Gábor; Pitter, János; Zemplényi, Antal
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 126:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 1173
• Page End: 1179
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Transferability -- Barriers of integration -- Implementation -- Integrated care models -- Central and eastern Europe -- SELFIE H2020; Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.08.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: Priorities of integrated care models in central and Eastern Europe were investigated. Need for further improvement in the integration of care was revealed. Most critical barriers for the implementation of integrated care models were identified. Financial sustainability barriers were considered the most critical ones. Availability of human resources and integration across sectors were also key barriers. Abstract: The importance of integrated care will increase in future health systems due to aging populations and patients with chronic multimorbidity, however, such complex healthcare interventions are often developed and implemented in higher income countries. For Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries it is important to investigate which integrated care models are transferable to their setting and facilitate the implementation of relevant models by identifying barriers to their implementation. This study investigates the relative importance of integrated care models and the most critical barriers for their implementation in CEE countries. Experts from Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Serbia were invited to complete an online survey within the SELFIE H2020 project. 81 respondents completed the survey. Although experts indicated that some integrated care models were already being implemented in CEE countries, the survey revealed a great need for further improvement in the integration of care, especially the managed care of oncology patients, coordinated palliative care of terminally ill patients, and nursing care of elderly with multimorbidity. Lack of long-term financial sustainability as well as of dedicated financing schemes were seen the most critical implementation barriers, followed by the lack of integration between health and social care providers and insufficient availability of human resources. These insights can guide future policy making on integrated care in CEE countries.