Integrated Care and the Health Workforce

The past decades have been characterised by the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the rising number of older and often multi-morbid patients, and changes in the definitions of health and illness. Many health systems have endorsed integrated care strategies as a means to approach the above challenges, as they are expected to lead to better outcomes, increased efficiency and improved access for service users. Generally, integrated care strategies include changes to patient-provider relationships, care process designs, communication infrastructures and staffing provisions. Given health professionals' involvement in all aspects of integrated care, it is assumed that workforce and staffing interventions will affect the implementation of integrated care strategies profoundly. It has become clear that patients with complex health and social problems require a mix of providers that can collectively address their needs. This involves two essential steps: First, designing the appropriate staff and skill mix of the group of health professionals providing care to a specific patient population; and second, organising and managing the interaction of this group of health professionals in practice.