Building integrated care systems: a case study of Bidasoa Integrated Health Organisation

• Published in: International journal of integrated care Vol. 15; no. 2; p. e026
• Main Authors: Polanco, Nuria Toro, Zabalegui, Iñaki Berraondo, Irazusta, Itziar Pérez, Solinís, Roberto Nuño, Del Río Cámara, Mario
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Ubiquity Press 01.04.2015; Uopen Journals
• Subjects: Basque Country; Case studies; Chronic Care Model; Chronic illnesses; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Clinical medicine; Collaboration; Continuity of care; Diabetes; Funding; Health care; health organisation; Health services; Heart failure; Hospitals; Innovations; integrated care; Integrated Care Case; Integrated delivery systems; Medical referrals; Multidisciplinary teams; Patient care planning; Primary care; Triple Aim; health organisation; Triple Aim; Basque Country; integrated care; Chronic Care Model
• ISSN: 1568-4156; 1568-4156
• DOI: 10.5334/ijic.1796

This paper analyses the implementation of integrated care policies in the Basque Country through the deployment of an Integrated Health Organisation in Bidasoa area during the period 2011-2014. Structural, functional and clinical integration policies have been employed with the aim to deliver integrated and person-centred care for patients, especially for those living with chronic conditions. This organisational case study used multiple data sources and methods in a pragmatic and reflexive manner to build a picture of the organisational development over a 4-year period. In order to measure the progress of integration three concepts have been measured: (i) readiness for chronicity measured with Assessment of Readiness for Chronicity in Healthcare Organisations tool; (ii) collaboration between clinicians from different care levels measured with the D'Amour Questionnaire, and (iii) overall impact of integration through several indicators based on the Triple Aim Framework. The measurement of organisational readiness for chronicity showed improvements in five of the six areas under evaluation. Similarly the collaboration between professionals of different care levels showed a steady improvement in each of the 10 items. Furthermore, the Triple Aim-based indicators showed a better experience of care in terms of patients' perceptions of care coordination; a reduction in hospital utilisation, particularly for patients with complex chronic conditions; and cost-containment in terms of per capita expenditure. There is a significant amount of data that shows that Bidasoa Integrated Health Organisation has progressed in terms of delivering integrated care for chronic conditions with a positive impact on several Triple Aim outcomes.