AI Article Synopsis

  • Integrated care for stroke survivors in China primarily focuses on healthcare system connections, with a new emphasis on integrating health and social care.
  • This study compared the health outcomes of two models of care—integrated health and social care (IHSC) versus usual integrated healthcare (IHC)—over a 6-month period.
  • Results showed that while there were no differences in physical capabilities between the two models, those in the IHSC model reported better mental health and lower caregiver strain after 6 months, indicating the importance of social care in integrated services for stroke patients.

Article Abstract

Background: Integrated care has been proven to be effective among stroke survivors. However, in China, these services mainly focus on connecting the healthcare system (acute, primary medical, and skilled) at the individual level. Closer health and social care integration is a new concept.

Objective: This study aimed to compare health-related outcomes 6 months after the implementation of the 2 integrated care models.

Methods: It was a 6-month follow-up of an open, prospectively study comparing the outcomes of a model of integrated health and social care (IHSC) versus a usual integrated healthcare (IHC) model. Outcomes were measured by Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) at 3 and 6 months, respectively.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in MBI scores between patients in the 2 models either after 3 months or at the end of intervention. The same trend was not seen in Physical Components Summary, an integral component of SF-36. Patients in IHSC model scored statistically significant higher points in Mental Components Summary, another integral part of SF-36 than patients in IHC model after 6 months. Average scores of CSI were statistically significant lower for IHSC model than for IHC model after 6 months.

Conclusion: The findings suggest the need to improve the scales of integration and recognize the vital role played by social care services when designing or improving an integrated care for older people with stroke.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmad021DOI Listing

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