Assessing the Pilot Implementation of the Integrated Multimorbidity Care Model in Five European Settings: Results from the Joint Action CHRODIS-PLUS

• Main Authors: Carmen Rodriguez-Blazquez, Maria João Forjaz, Antonio Gimeno-Miguel, Kevin Bliek-Bueno, Beatriz Poblador-Plou, Sara Pilar Luengo-Broto, Inmaculada Guerrero-Fernández de Alba, Ana Maria Carriazo, Carmen Lama, Rafael Rodríguez-Acuña, Inmaculada Cosano, Juan José Bedoya, Carmen Angioletti, Angelo Carfì, Antonella Di Paola, Rokas Navickas, Elena Jureviciene, Laimis Dambrauskas, Ida Liseckiene, Leonas Valius, Gediminas Urbonas, Graziano Onder, Alexandra Prados-Torres
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: multimorbidity; integrated multimorbidity care model; chronic diseases; implementation research; non-communicable diseases; integrated care
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/15/5268

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of several chronic conditions in a patient, represents a great challenge for healthcare systems and society. The Integrated Multimorbidity Care Model (IMCM) was recently designed within the Joint Action on chronic diseases and promoting healthy ageing across the life cycle (CHRODIS) to ensure the continuity of care for patients with multimorbidity. The IMCM was implemented in five European pilot sites in Spain, Italy, and Lithuania, within the Joint Action CHRODIS-PLUS. The effect of these pilot interventions was assessed pre- and post-implementation by 17 healthcare managers, using the Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (ACIC) measure, and by 226 patients with the Patient Assessment of Care for Chronic Conditions (PACIC+) survey. The ACIC total score significantly increased (5.23 to 6.71, <i>p</i> = 0.022) after the intervention, with differences across sites. A significant increase in the PACIC+ summary score was found ranging from 3.25 at baseline to 4.03 after the intervention (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and 58% of the sample perceived an improvement in care. Higher PACIC+ scores after the intervention were associated to lower baseline values in the respective PACIC+ dimension and to greater changes in ACIC Part 1 (delivery system organization). The IMCM implementation can help improve the quality of care for patients with multimorbidity.