6^th World Nursing and Healthcare Conference

Biography

Biography: Eileen Savage

Abstract

Evidence from the international literature is that the prevention and management of chronic diseases through integrated care should be primary care GP led supported by primary care specialists and secondary care specialist services. Primary care led services towards integrated care marks a shift away from hospital centric services, which has traditionally dominated healthcare in many countries including Ireland. The shift towards primary care led services is now a strategic priority at Government level in an effort to tackle the growing burden of chronic disease. The emphasis on integrated care is to avoid fragmentation of services between primary and secondary care and to ensure the delivery of “the right service, at the right time, in the right place by the right team”. In this paper, the evidence on how best to support a national approach to primary care led services within a model of integrated care for chronic disease prevention and management is examined. The features of a well-designed model of care that contribute to improved clinical, process and service utilization outcomes will be presented. The implications and related challenges for implementation will be considered with application to Ireland. Lessons learned from other countries will inform this discussion.