Health systems integration: state of the evidence

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Integrated health systems are considered a solution to the challenge of maintaining the accessibility and integrity of healthcare in numerous jurisdictions worldwide. However, decision makers in a Canadian health region indicated they were challenged to find evidence-based information to assist with the planning and implementation of integrated healthcare systems. METHODS: A systematic literature review of peer-reviewed literature from health sciences and business databases, and targeted grey literature sources. RESULTS: Despite the large number of articles discussing integration, significant gaps in the research literature exist. There was a lack of high quality, empirical studies providing evidence on how health systems can improve service delivery and population health. No universal definition or concept of integration was found and multiple integration models from both the healthcare and business literature were proposed in the literature. The review also revealed a lack of standardized, validated tools that have been systematically used to evaluate integration outcomes. This makes measuring and comparing the impact of integration on system, provider and patient level challenging. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Healthcare is likely too complex for a one-size-fits-all integration solution. It is important for decision makers and planners to choose a set of complementary models, structures and processes to create an integrated health system that fits the needs of the population across the continuum of care. However, in order to have evidence available, decision makers and planners should include evaluation for accountability purposes and to ensure a better understanding of the effectiveness and impact of health systems integration.

Cited by papers we hold 7

• “We could be good partners if we work together”: the perspectives of health and social service providers on the barriers to forming collaborative partnerships with social housing providers for older adults · 2022
  Not checked
• Rethinking Integrated Care: A Systematic Hermeneutic Review of the Literature on Integrated Care Strategies and Concepts · 2020
  No notice
• Integrated care: learning between high-income, and low- and middle-income country health systems · 2017
  No notice
• Integrated Health Care Barcelona Esquerra (Ais-Be): A Global View of Organisational Development, Re-Engineering of Processes and Improvement of the Information Systems. The Role of the Tertiary University Hospital in the Transformation · 2016
  Not checked
• Understanding Integrated Care · 2016
  No notice
• Towards a taxonomy for integrated care: a mixed-methods study · 2015
  No notice
• Understanding integrated care: a comprehensive conceptual framework based on the integrative functions of primary care · 2013
  No notice

Reads

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.