Simple Checklist for Successful Integrated Care

Integrated care can feel big and complicated, but the good news is that we know what makes it successful. Decades of research show that the practices that thrive with collaborative care share a handful of key features. If you are building or strengthening an integrated care program, here are the proven elements to focus on:

1. Visible Leadership
Programs last when leadership shows real support through budgets, schedules, and clinic priorities.

2. A Clear Point Person
Successful clinics always have a champion in primary care who keeps the program moving and makes sure problems get solved.

3. A Supported Care Manager
Outcomes improve when care managers have clear duties, enough time to do their job, and are accessible to both patients and providers.

4. Reliable Follow Up
Patients do better when they are contacted again within four weeks, and when stalled cases are reviewed with a psychiatric consultant.

5. Real Communication
Warm handoffs and face to face team communication help patients feel cared for and keep the team on the same page.

Bottom line: Success with integrated care is not random. Research shows that when practices focus on leadership, champions, care manager support, follow up, and communication, patients get better and programs last.

For more detail, see the AIMS Center at the University of Washington: https://aims.uw.edu/ and the summary of implementation research provided in their Evidence Base for Collaborative Care Implementation and Practice Based Research.

Disclaimer: This content is adapted from published evidence by the AIMS Center at the University of Washington. We are sharing this summary for educational purposes only and are not affiliated with the event organizers or the University of Washington.