neurology
The challenge of
integrated care in Europe
ICT4Life, a Horizon 2020 EU-funded initiative contributing to the challenge of integrated care
for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is discussed
Isabella Notarangelo
HOPE
With the contribution
of the ICT4Life
consortium
The 20th century was characterised by an
enhancement of well-being and better economic
conditions bringing modifications in lifestyle.
Such improvements also led to new risk-factors
that could be controlled but not cured, causing an
increase in chronic conditions. Health systems,
once mainly focused on acute episodes, are now
working on the implementation of country-
tailored solutions aimed at better responses to
the burden of (multiple) chronic conditions.
In recent years, Europe faced important
demographic changes affecting the ageing
population. As a result, there are almost
10 million Europeans affected by Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and the
number is forecast to double by 2030, making
them a major health challenge. Those people
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HHE 2018 | hospitalhealthcare.com
want to live in their own homes but, because of
their symptoms, they face difficulties in daily life,
both in managing their own care and in living
independently.
Increased chronic conditions, multi-morbidity
and an ageing population of both the workforce
and patients has led to the development of
a new integrated care model at the European
and national levels. This model is supported by
the development and deployment of innovative
information and communication technology (ICT)
tools to improve and facilitate the quality and
delivery of care in all health settings.
At Member States’ level, most health systems
have already moved from a traditional hospital-
centric and doctor-centric pattern of care to
integrated care in which hospitals work closely
with primary care, community care and home-
care. Almost all European countries have made
efforts in modifying their hospital provision
patterns: delivering better services, increasing
quality, improving efficiency and productivity.
Further actions are directed towards the creation
of multi-professional networks and to the
involvement of the patient in the pattern of care.
As the literature shows, the presence of a
strong ICT system connecting either professionals
or professionals and patients is a successful factor
for transition from hospital-focused health systems
to continuum care-focused health systems. Such
factors are crucial to ensure quality of care,
especially in times of financial constraints.
Integrated care models address how care
services could be coordinated and delivered to
deal with people’s continuous care in a more
efficient way while considering all stakeholders’
needs and perspectives. To do so, there are several
levels of integration. The Triple Integration, 1
stated by Simon Stevens, described the different
levels needed to address integrated care services
depending on the care services and stakeholders
involved. That is:
• integration between prima