What is integrated care in healthcare?

Integrated care in healthcare refers to a coordinated approach that combines both social and medical support to address the comprehensive needs of patients. This model promotes collaboration and communication among various healthcare providers, ensuring that patients receive holistic care that encompasses not only their medical conditions but also their social determinants of health, such as lifestyle, community resources, and emotional support.

This approach is essential as it recognizes that health outcomes are influenced by a variety of factors beyond just medical interventions. By breaking down silos between different areas of care—like physical health, mental health, and social services—integrated care aims to provide a more patient-centered experience and improve overall health outcomes.

In contrast, the other options indicate less effective models of care. For instance, focusing solely on medical interventions overlooks the broader context of patient health, while a separated approach to social and medical services fails to leverage the synergies between those services that integrated care provides. Additionally, a method that excludes patient involvement goes against the principles of person-centered care that are fundamental to integrated care, which emphasizes active participation from patients in their health management.