Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coordination, cooperation and efficient use of resources is vital for the health- and social care sector if it is to meet the needs of an aging population. Integrated care is a patient-centred approach to provision of care aiming to improve quality of care and overcome fragmented care through co-productive partnerships and may positively affect quality of care and health outcomes, especially among those in need of highly coordinated care services. AIM: To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) in the integrated care system in Norrtälje Municipality and in the standard care system in other municipalities in Region Stockholm, Sweden. METHODS: Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register PRO data during 2008-2015 were compared 1 year after THR among patients (≥50 years) in integrated care (n = 407) and standard care (n = 3501) systems using linear (EQ VAS score), logistic (EQ-5D-3L dimensions) and negative binomial (hip pain VAS score) regressions. Analyses were adjusted for the preoperative factors age, sex, BMI, ASA class and type of incision. RESULTS: 1-year postoperatively, patients in the integrated care system did not report their health significantly different from patients receiving standard care. Exceptions: Female patients in integrated care reported less problems with self-care (OR:0.52; 0.29-0.96) and patients above 70 years reported more problems with mobility (OR: 1.37; 1.01-1.87). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found between the two care systems for postoperative PROs. A longer follow-up time and analyses by socioeconomic groups would be valuable.