Designing a Person-Centred Integrated Care Programme for People with Complex Chronic Conditions: A Case Study from Catalonia

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of people with complex chronic conditions is increasing. This population’s high social and health needs require person-centred integrated approaches to care. Methods: To collect data about experiences with the health system and identify priorities for care, we conducted 2 focus groups and 15 semi-structured interviews involving patients with multimorbidity and advanced conditions, caregivers, and representatives of patients’ associations. To design the programme, we combined this information with evidence-based recommendations from local healthcare and social care professionals. Results: Patients’ and caregivers’ main priorities were to ensure (a) comprehension of information provided by healthcare professionals; (b) coordination between patients, caregivers, and professionals; (c) access to social services; (d) support to caregivers in managing situations; (e) perceived support throughout the healthcare process; (f) home care, when available; and (d) a patient-centred approach. These dimensions were included in 37 of 63 clinical actions of the programme to cover the whole care trajectory: identifying high needs, defining, and providing care plans, managing crises, and providing transitional care and end-of-life care. Conclusion: We developed an evidence-based integrated care programme tailored to high-need patients combining input from patients, caregivers, and healthcare and social care professionals.

Keywords

• integrated care
• personcentredness
• complex chronic conditions
• programme design
• multimorbidity, advanced conditions, older people