What is meant by "integrated care" in healthcare?

Integrated care refers to a holistic and coordinated method of patient care that combines various health services and addresses the full spectrum of an individual's healthcare needs. This approach emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration among different healthcare providers, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and seamless care across multiple levels and types of health services.

The essence of integrated care lies in its focus on orchestrating care pathways for patients, which can involve primary care, specialty treatments, mental health services, and social support systems. By addressing not just physical health but also mental health and social determinants of health, integrated care aims to improve health outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and potentially lower healthcare costs. This method recognizes that healthcare is most effective when it is patient-centered and when care providers work together in a coordinated manner.