title: Integrated care in the management of chronic diseases: an Italian perspective.
abstract: This letter provides a view on the issue of the organizational model of Primary Care Groups (PCGs), which represent a best practice in continuity and appropriateness of care for chronic patients. Our analysis aimed at estimating the impact of PCGs introduction in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. The results of our study showed a better performance of PCGs compared with the other General Practitioners of Local Health Authority Milano 1, supporting the conclusion that good care cannot be delivered without good organization of care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Legnano Hospital, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Milano, Italy. Electronic address: ilario.stefani@asst-ovestmi.it.
authors.forename: Ilario
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Health Economics, Social and Health Care Management - CREMS, LIUC University, Castellanza, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scolari
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Health Economics, Social and Health Care Management - CREMS, LIUC University, Castellanza, Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Croce
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Legnano Hospital, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzone
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009313:National Health Programs; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Chronic disease; Continuity of care; Primary care redesign