Do integrated care structures foster processes of integration? A quasi-experimental study in frail elderly care from the professional perspective

Objective: This study explores the processes of integration that are assumed to underlie integrated care delivery. Design: A quasi-experimental design with a control group was used; a new instrument was developed to measure integration from the professional perspective. Setting and participants: Professionals from primary care practices and home-care organizations delivering care to the frail elderly in the Walcheren region of the Netherlands. Intervention: An integrated care intervention specifically targeting frail elderly patients was implemented. Main Outcome Measures: Structural, cultural, social and strategic integration and satisfaction with integration. Results: The intervention significantly improved structural, cultural and social integration, agreement on goals, interests, power and resources and satisfaction with integration. Conclusions: This study confirms that integrated care structures foster processes of integration among professionals. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN05748494.

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