[The chronic related groups (CReG) model for ensuring continuity of care for chronically ill patients: pilot experience of the planning stage in Bergamo (Italy)]

Abstract

In 2012, testing of the Chronic Related Groups model, an innovative chronic care organisational model, was launched in the Lombardy Region (Italy). In this model, chronic care patients are cared for by healthcare providers who must identify in advance a quota of resources necessary and then ensure continuity of care to patients by providing, with the predefined quota, all outpatient services required for good clinical management of the patient's illness (e.g. outpatient consultations, therapy, home hospitalisation, prosthetics). Two hundred seven primary care physicians and 22,500 patients with chronic illnesses were enrolled to pilot test the model in Bergamo (Italy). The vast participation will allow appropriate testing of the model and identification of advantages and critical clinical and organizational issues that need to be improved. The expected results could profoundly change the current structure of primary care.