ABSTRACT
Purpose>The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the urgency of better chronic disease management and the importance of making it an integral part of the recovery agenda in Europe. This paper aims to explore the shift towards digital and integrated care systems in Europe.Design/methodology/approach>In this viewpoint paper the Expert Group for Integrated Care and Digital Health Europe (EGIDE) group argues that an orchestrated shift towards integrated care holds the solution to the chronic disease pandemic.Findings>The development of integrated care cannot happen without shifting towards a digitalised healthcare system via large-scale initiatives like the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and the involvement of all stakeholders.Originality/value>The EGIDE group has identified some foundational principles, which can guide the way to realise the full potential of the EHDS for integrated care and can support the involved stakeholders’ thinking.
ABSTRACT
The proposed framework, being applied in Finland, acts as a set of standards to format data to allow it to move from one place to another (known as the “middle layer” in interoperable systems) bringing together different data elements to support a Virtual Care Operator model – an “information-focused approach to integration, coordination and continuity of care.” Domains in this model focus on technology, team organization, program support, integration of information systems, performance and quality, with maturity assessed on how well the model is enabling integration of service delivery around coordination of activities and other key issues like equity. Aird and colleagues present an implementation focused evaluation, using a multi-method approach to explore the roles and use of a new system of information exchange between one hospital and one long-term care home in Canada. Stamenova et al. evaluate a virtual visit program put in place to provide access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic using a convergent mixed-methods design which draws on usage data, surveys and interviews with patients and provider users of virtual care systems across different units within a hospital.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Policies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of noncommunicable (NCD) patients while affecting NCD prevention and risk factor control. AIMS: To discuss how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health management of NCD patients, identify which aspects should be carried forward into future NCD management, and propose collaborative efforts among public-private institutions to effectively shape NCD care models. METHODS: The NCD Partnership, a collaboration between Upjohn and the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, held a virtual Advisory Board in July 2020 with multiple stakeholders; healthcare professionals (HCPs), policymakers, researchers, patient and informal carer advocacy groups, patient empowerment organizations, and industry experts. RESULTS: The Advisory Board identified barriers to NCD care during the COVID-19 pandemic in four areas: lack of NCD management guidelines; disruption to integrated care and shift from hospital-based NCD care to more community and primary level care; infodemics and a lack of reliable health information for patients and HCPs on how to manage NCDs; lack of availability, training, standardization, and regulation of digital health tools. CONCLUSIONS: Multistakeholder partnerships can promote swift changes to NCD prevention and patient care. Intra- and inter-communication between all stakeholders should be facilitated involving all players in the development of clinical guidelines and digital health tools, health and social care restructuring, and patient support in the short-, medium- and long-term future. A comprehensive response to NCDs should be delivered to improve patient outcomes by providing strategic, scientific, and economic support.