Continuity of care is the set of processes implemented in an integrated way by the health system in order to offer the patient the health care they need regardless of the health system (public or private). IDIS raises and demonstrates in its report “Continuity of care and single patient” that reality today does not respond to this theoretical definition, since there are protocols that do not prioritize the patient and there is a lack of synergies between levels of care or provision systems. In this sense, “from the IDIS Foundation we consider that establishing continuity of care in our health system is essential. It is not an option, it is an obligation that directly impacts the right of patients to move freely through the system, seeking the best results for their medical problem.
With this we would be able to reduce the healthcare pressure of the public system, we would avoid redundancies, and we would facilitate the task of physicians, undoubtedly improving the patient experience, as well as health and health outcomes. Interoperability tools and proposals for change are necessary to achieve it and promote cooperation between private healthcare and public healthcare to promote a more sustainable, synergistic and efficient healthcare and social healthcare model.
In other words, it is necessary for the patient to be one in the entire health system and all our efforts go to their benefit”; This has been stated by Juan Abarca, president of the Institute for the Development and Integration of Health (IDIS Foundation), during the IDIS Conference: Continuity of care and single patient, in which the results of the report were presented. The analysis, carried out by Accenture for the IDIS Foundation, collects the perception and opinion of patients -a survey carried out by Sigma Dos with 3,000 people- and professionals -7 interviews with health professionals, of which 5 have been with medical professionals from different specialties and 2 to oncologists- in relation to aspects related to the aforementioned continuity of care. Along with this, he develops a case of use of a patient with breast cancer to show the existing breaking points and make some proposals in favor of the patient and the efficiency of the system.
Results
The survey results reveal that a 70,2% of the population considers it essential to promote cooperation between private healthcare and public healthcare to promote a more sustainable healthcare and social healthcare model. Likewise, 85% consider receiving treatment or having tests in public and private health very positive, quite positive and positive, and that all the data can be recognized and evaluated by the health professional who attends them at all times. Also of interest are those included in the “Report on the social perception of cancer in Spain” by the ECO Foundation (“Cancer Now” project), in which it is observed that 40% of the population considers that early detection is the most relevant area in cancer, followed by research.
The professionals, for their part, consider that for continuity of care to exist, it is necessary to place the patient as the backbone, with the system being the one that adapts to the patient and not the other way around; it is necessary to establish synergies between levels, break territorial barriers and normalize the private sector as part of the health system. The general director of the IDIS Foundation, Marta Villanueva, explained that “along with the assessments of patients and professionals, a study has been carried out to analyze the journey of the patient with breast cancer to see what are the points of rupture that may exist in the care process”.
proposals
Given the lack of integrated prevention programs, it is proposed to create an integrated strategy of prevention plans (primary and secondary) and health promotion. Likewise, it advocates the creation of joint committees by health areas for therapeutic and research purposes, facilitating the provision of treatment or inclusion in clinical trials. Finally, it is proposed to generate integrated structures with multidisciplinary support groups as a fundamental tool to put different services and specialties in contact.
