Patients' Experiences of the Western HealthLinks Integrated Care Chronic Illness Management Program: A Prospective Mixed-Methods Observational Cohort Study.

IF 2.7 3区医学 Q2 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

International Journal of Integrated Care Pub Date : 2026-09-07 eCollection Date: 2026-07-01 DOI:10.5334/ijic.8980

Julia L Jones, Kirsty Barnes, Catherine Grant, Jason Plant, Natalie G Lumsden, Koen Simons, Edward D Janus, Craig L Nelson, Ann Allenby

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Abstract

Introduction: Western HealthLinks, an integrated care chronic illness management program, supported patients with chronic and complex conditions to stay well at home after hospital discharge. This study assessed patients' experiences of the program.

Methods: A prospective mixed-methods observational cohort study, conducted as an implementation evaluation with six-monthly assessments over 30 months included: A visual analogue scale (VAS) rating healthcare satisfaction; an Assessment of Quality of Life 4 Dimensions (AQoL4D) tool; a survey regarding healthcare satisfaction. VAS and AQoL4D were analysed with a simple random effects model using time as a linear variable; survey was analysed with thematic analysis.

Results: Median baseline VAS was 79 and AQoL4D 0.15, with no evidence for change over time. Themes across timepoints included: Local/home-based care; hospital access; individualised, coordinated and consistent care; communication; reduced waiting; healthcare provider qualities; transport/parking.

Discussion: No evidence of change to VAS and AQoL4D suggests maintained healthcare satisfaction and QoL over time despite increasing age and disease burden. Surveys showed patients value integrated care. Limitations include the absence of control group and loss to follow-up with risk of bias for VAS and AQoL4D.

Conclusion: Western HealthLinks patients maintained healthcare satisfaction and QoL over time after hospital discharge. Patients value integrated care and future models of care may benefit from incorporation of themes from analysis.

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西方健康链接综合护理慢性疾病管理项目的患者体验：一项前瞻性混合方法观察队列研究。

简介：Western HealthLinks是一个综合护理慢性疾病管理项目，支持患有慢性和复杂疾病的患者出院后在家中保持健康。这项研究评估了患者对该项目的体验。方法：一项前瞻性混合方法观察队列研究，作为一项实施评估，在30个月内进行6个月的评估，包括：视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分医疗保健满意度；生活质量4维度评估（AQoL4D）工具；关于医疗保健满意度的调查。采用以时间为线性变量的简单随机效应模型分析VAS和AQoL4D；采用专题分析法对调查结果进行分析。结果：基线VAS中位数为79，AQoL4D为0.15，无随时间变化的证据。跨时间点的主题包括：本地/家庭护理；医院访问;个性化、协调一致的护理；沟通;减少了等待;医疗保健提供者的素质；运输/停车。讨论：没有证据表明，尽管年龄和疾病负担增加，但VAS和AQoL4D的变化表明，随着时间的推移，医疗满意度和生活质量保持不变。调查显示，患者重视综合护理。局限性包括缺乏对照组和缺乏随访，存在VAS和AQoL4D的偏倚风险。结论：Western HealthLinks患者出院后仍保持医疗满意度和生活质量。患者重视综合护理，未来的护理模式可能受益于分析主题的合并。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Integrated Care HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES-

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

8.30%

发文量

887

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Established in 2000, IJIC’s mission is to promote integrated care as a scientific discipline. IJIC’s primary purpose is to examine critically the policy and practice of integrated care and whether and how this has impacted on quality-of-care, user experiences, and cost-effectiveness. The journal regularly publishes conference supplements and special themed editions. To find out more contact Managing Editor, Susan Royer. The Journal is supported by the International Foundation for Integrated Care (IFIC).