scholarly journals Increasing the Focus on Children's Complex and Integrated Care Needs: A Position Paper of the European Academy of Pediatrics

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Brenner ◽  
Josephine Greene ◽  
Carmel Doyle ◽  
Berthold Koletzko ◽  
Stefano del Torso ◽  
...  

There is wide variation in terminology used to refer to children living with complex needs, across clinical, research and policy settings. It is important to seek to reconcile this variation to support the effective development of programmes of care for this group of children and their families. The European Academy of Pediatrics (EAP) established a multidisciplinary Working Group on Complex Care and the initial work of this group examined how complex care is defined in the literature. A scoping review was conducted which yielded 87 papers with multiple terms found that refer to children living with complex needs. We found that elements of integrated care, an essential component of care delivery to these children, were repeatedly referred to, though it was never specifically incorporated into a term to describe complex care needs. This is essential for practice and policy, to continuously assert the need for integrated care where a complex care need exists. We propose the use of the term Complex and Integrated Care Needs as a suitable term to refer to children with varying levels of complexity who require continuity of care across a variety of health and social care settings.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Czypionka ◽  
Markus Kraus ◽  
Miriam Reiss ◽  
Erik Baltaxe ◽  
Josep Roca ◽  
...  

Abstract Background As the prevalence of multi-morbidity increases in ageing societies, health and social care systems face the challenge of providing adequate care to persons with complex needs. Approaches that integrate care across sectors and disciplines have been increasingly developed and implemented in European countries in order to tackle this challenge. The aim of the article is to identify success factors and crucial elements in the process of integrated care delivery for persons with complex needs as seen from the practical perspective of the involved stakeholders (patients, professionals, informal caregivers, managers, initiators, payers). Methods Seventeen integrated care programmes for persons with complex needs in 8 European countries were investigated using a qualitative approach, namely thick description, based on semi-structured interviews and document analysis. In total, 233 face-to-face interviews were conducted with stakeholders of the programmes between March and September 2016. Meta-analysis of the individual thick description reports was performed with a focus on the process of care delivery. Results Four categories that emerged from the overarching analysis are discussed in the article: (1) a holistic view of the patient, considering both mental health and the social situation in addition to physical health, (2) continuity of care in the form of single contact points, alignment of services and good relationships between patients and professionals, (3) relationships between professionals built on trust and facilitated by continuous communication, and (4) patient involvement in goal-setting and decision-making, allowing patients to adapt to reorganised service delivery. Conclusions We were able to identify several key aspects for a well-functioning integrated care process for complex patients and how these are put into actual practice. The article sets itself apart from the existing literature by specifically focussing on the growing share of the population with complex care needs and by providing an analysis of actual processes and interpersonal relationships that shape integrated care in practice, incorporating evidence from a variety of programmes in several countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-53
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kasteridis ◽  
Anne Mason ◽  
Andrew Street

Objectives As part of the Vanguard programme, two integrated care models were introduced in South Somerset for people with complex care needs: the Complex Care Team and Enhanced Primary Care. We assessed their impact on a range of utilization measures and mortality. Methods We used monthly individual-level linked primary and secondary care data from April 2014 to March 2018 to assess outcomes before and after the introduction of the care models. The analysis sample included 564 Complex Care Team and 841 Enhanced Primary Care cases that met specific criteria. We employed propensity score methods to identify out-of-area control patients and difference-in-differences analysis to isolate the care models’ impact. Results We found no evidence of significantly reduced utilization in any of the Complex Care Team or Enhanced Primary Care cohorts. The death rate was significantly lower only for those in the first Enhanced Primary Care cohort. Conclusions The integrated care models did not significantly reduce utilization nor consistently reduce mortality. Future research should test longer-term outcomes associated with the new models of care and quantify their contribution in the context of broader initiatives.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 838
Author(s):  
Baber Malik ◽  
Jude Wells ◽  
Jane Hughes ◽  
Paul Clarkson ◽  
John Keady ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe emergent approaches to integrated care for older people with complex care needs and investigate the viability of measuring integrated care. MethodsA case study approach was used. Sites were recruited following discussion with senior staff in health and social care agencies. Service arrangements were categorised using a framework developed by the researchers. To investigate joint working within the sites, the development model for integrated care was adapted and administered to the manager of each service. Data were collected in 2018. ResultsSix case study sites were recruited illustrating adult social care services partnerships in services for older people with home care providers, mental health and community nursing services. Most were established in 2018. Service arrangements were characterised by joint assessment and informal face-to-face discussions between staff. The development of an infrastructure to promote partnership working was evident between adult social care and each of the other services and most developed with home care providers. There was little evidence of a sequential approach to the development of integrated working practices. ConclusionComponents of partnerships promoting integrated care have been highlighted and understanding of the complexity of measuring integrated care enhanced. Means of information sharing and work force development require further consideration. What is known about the topic?The devolution of health and social care arrangements in Greater Manchester has aroused considerable interest in much wider arenas. Necessarily much of the focus in available material has been upon strategic development, analysis of broader trends and mechanisms and a concern with changes in the healthcare system. What does this paper add?The findings from this study will enable emerging approaches to be described and codified, and permit the specific social care contribution to the new arrangements to be discerned. The findings are relevant beyond the immediate context of Greater Manchester to wider integrated care. The evidence can be used by commissioners and services, providing a sound basis for further work as service systems develop. What are the implications for practitioners?This research is important because it is one of the first pieces of work to examine the new integrated care arrangements in Greater Manchester. By providing guidance to promote evidence-based practice, this study contributes to service development in Greater Manchester and the achievement of the broad national service objectives of improving user and carer experiences and ensuring value for money.


Author(s):  
Roelof Ettema ◽  
Goran Gumze ◽  
Katja Heikkinen ◽  
Kirsty Marshall

BackgroundCare recipients in care and welfare are increasingly presenting themselves with complex needs (Huber et al., 2016). An answer to this is the integrated organization of care and welfare in a way that personalized care is the measure (Topol, 2016). The reality, however, is that care and welfare are still mainly offered in a standardized, specialized and fragmented way. This imbalance between the need for care and the supply of care not only leads to under-treatment and over-treatment and thus to less (experienced) quality, but also entails the risk of mis-treatment, which means that patient safety is at stake (Berwick, 2005). It also leads to a reduction in the functioning of citizens and unnecessary healthcare cost (Olsson et al, 2009).Integrated CareIntegrated care is the by fellow human beings experienced smooth process of effective help, care and service provided by various disciplines in the zero line, the first line, the second line and the third line in healthcare and welfare, as close as possible (Ettema et al, 2018; Goodwin et al, 2015). Integrated care starts with an extensive assessment with the care recipient. Then the required care and services in the zero line, the first line, the second line and / or the third line are coordinated between different care providers. The care is then delivered to the person (fellow human) at home or as close as possible (Bruce and Parry, 2015; Evers and Paulus, 2015; Lewis, 2015; Spicer, 2015; Cringles, 2002).AimSupport societal participation, quality of live and reduce care demand and costs in people with complex care demands, through integration of healthcare and welfare servicesMethods (overview)1. Create best healthcare and welfare practices in Slovenia,  Poland, Austria, Norway, UK, Finland, The Netherlands: three integrated best care practices per involved country 2. Get insight in working mechanisms of favourable outcomes (by studying the contexts, mechanisms and outcomes) to enable personalised integrated care for meeting the complex care demand of people focussed on societal participation in all integrated care best practices.3. Disclose program design features and requirements regarding finance, governance, accountability and management for European policymakers, national policy makers, regional policymakers, national umbrella organisations for healthcare and welfare, funding organisations, and managers of healthcare and welfare organisations.4. Identify needs of healthcare and welfare deliverers for creating and supporting dynamic partnerships for integrating these care services for meeting complex care demands in a personalised way for the client.5. Studying desired behaviours of healthcare and welfare professionals, managers of healthcare and welfare organisations, members of involved funding organisations and national umbrella organisations for healthcare and welfare, regional policymakers, national policy makers and European policymakersInvolved partiesAlma Mater Europaea Maribor Slovenia, Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland, University Graz Austria, Kristiania University Oslo Norway, Salford University Manchester UK, University of Applied Sciences Turku Finland, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht The Netherlands (secretary), Rotterdam Stroke Service The Netherlands, Vilans National Centre of Expertise for Long-term Care The Netherlands, NIVEL Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, International Foundation of Integrated Care IFIC.References1. Berwick DM. The John Eisenberg Lecture: Health Services Research as a Citizen in Improvement. Health Serv Res. 2005 Apr; 40(2): 317–336.2. Bruce D, Parry B. Integrated care: a Scottish perspective. London J Prim Care (Abingdon). 2015; 7(3): 44–48.3. Cringles MC. Developing an integrated care pathway to manage cancer pain across primary, secondary and tertiary care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing. 2002 May 8;247279.4. Ettema RGA, Eastwood JG, Schrijvers G. Towards Evidence Based Integrated Care. International journal of integrated care 2018;18(s2):293. DOI: 10.5334/ijic.s22935. Evers SM, Paulus AT. Health economics and integrated care: a growing and challenging relationship. Int J Integr Care. 2015 Jun 17;15:e024.6. Goodwin N, Dixon A, Anderson G, Wodchis W. Providing integrated care for older people with complex needs: lessons from seven international case studies. King’s Fund London; 2014.7. Huber M, van Vliet M, Giezenberg M, Winkens B, Heerkens Y, Dagnelie PC, Knottnerus JA. Towards a 'patient-centred' operationalisation of the new dynamic concept of health: a mixed methods study. BMJ Open. 2016 Jan 12;6(1):e010091. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-0100918. Lewis M. Integrated care in Wales: a summary position. London J Prim Care (Abingdon). 2015; 7(3): 49–54.9. Olsson EL, Hansson E, Ekman I, Karlsson J. A cost-effectiveness study of a patient-centred integrated care pathway. 2009 65;1626–1635.10. Spicer J. Integrated care in the UK: variations on a theme? London J Prim Care (Abingdon). 2015; 7(3): 41–43.11. Topol E. (2016) The Patient Will See You Now. The Future of Medicine Is in Your Hands. New York: Basic Books.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke Broersen ◽  
Nynke Frieswijk ◽  
Hans Kroon ◽  
Ad A. Vermulst ◽  
Daan H. M. Creemers

Background: The Multicenter Youth Flexible ACT Study is an ongoing observational prospective cohort study that examines the effects of Youth Flexible ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) on young people with complex care needs who are difficult to engage in traditional (office-based) mental health services. However, a clear and detailed description of this patient group is lacking. In the current paper, we present baseline characteristics and psychosocial outcomes of the Youth Flexible ACT target group and explore the existence of underlying specific patient subgroups.Methods: Sixteen Youth Flexible ACT teams from seven mental healthcare institutes in the Netherlands participated in the study. Research participants were monitored for 18 months and administered questionnaires measuring psychiatric- and social functioning every 6 months, yielding four measurements. Baseline data were obtained from 199 adolescents, their mental health workers, and parents/carers. Latent Class Analysis based on HoNOSCA scores (measuring psychosocial and daily functioning) was conducted to identify underlying subgroups.Results: The target group of Youth Flexible ACT mainly consisted of patients older than 15 years of age with a history of (specialized) mental healthcare. They face many complex problems, including trauma; developmental, mood, and anxiety disorders; and problems with school attendance, family life, and peer relationships. Other frequently reported difficulties were substance misuse, the involvement of the legal system or police, problems with intellectual functioning, and personal finance. Patients were classified into four distinct classes: the “internalizing,” “externalizing,” “non-specific,” and the “overly impulsive” subgroup. Each subgroup had its unique pattern of difficulties and focus, respectively, high levels of depression and anxiety, disruptive behavior, unspecific difficulties, and substance misuse.Conclusions: As expected, patients in Youth Flexible ACT experienced many severe problems, rendering them vulnerable to fragmented and, thus, ineffective care. Our findings underscore the need for an integrated care approach with a multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals that can bridge these wide-ranging psychosocial problems, as each class of participants experienced a different set of difficulties. Youth Flexible ACT teams need to adjust their care services accordingly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 122-129
Author(s):  
Axel Kaehne

Integrating health and social care services remains one of the most difficult undertakings in the field of care delivery. One of the key requirements for success in integration programmes is a shared vision amongst care providers. Shared visions may contain views as to what the new services should look like, how it should operate and what it should be able to achieve. The paper reports findings of an evaluation of a service integration programme in the North of England. It confirms that a programme consensus on issues such as aims and objectives and programme logics is seen by participants as a key to success. Yet, the study also found that there is a specific window of opportunity in integration programmes when participating organisations start on relatively high levels of commitment and enthusiasm which tend to tail off relatively quickly. The paper closes with a discussion about the implications of the findings for programme designers and service planners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 214 (06) ◽  
pp. 315-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek K. Tracy ◽  
Kara Hanson ◽  
Tom Brown ◽  
Adrian J. B. James ◽  
Holly Paulsen ◽  
...  

SummaryHealth and social care face growing and conflicting pressures: mounting complex needs of an ageing population, restricted funding and a workforce recruitment and retention crisis. In response, in the UK the NHS Long Term Plan promises increased investment and an emphasis on better ‘integrated’ care. We describe key aspects of integration that need addressing.Declaration of interestD.K.T. and S.S.S. are on the editorial board of the British Journal of Psychiatry and executives of the Academic Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists. A.J.B.J., H.P. and Z.M. have roles at the Royal College of Psychiatrists that include evaluation of integrated care systems. A.J.B.J. is married to Dr Sarah Wollaston, Member of Parliament for Totnes and Chair of the Health Select Committee.


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