title: Do integrated care structures foster processes of integration? A quasi-experimental study in frail elderly care from the professional perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the processes of integration that are assumed to underlie integrated care delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi-experimental design with a control group was used; a new instrument was developed to measure integration from the professional perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Professionals from primary care practices and home-care organizations delivering care to the frail elderly in the Walcheren region of the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  An integrated care intervention specifically targeting frail elderly patients was implemented.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN05748494.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam , PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Janse
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam , PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huijsman
authors.affiliation: Primary Care Practice Arnemuiden, Prins Bernhardstraat 2, 4341 EZ Arnemuiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ruben Dennis Maurice
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: de Kuyper
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam , PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Isabelle Natalina
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Fabbricotti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D025341:Principal Component Analysis
keywords: frail elderly patients; integrated care; integration processes; professional perspective; satisfaction