Strengthening primary care: The Veneto Region's model of the Integrated Medical Group

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to illustrate the development of the Veneto Region's (Italy) new primary care model and to report on the preliminary results.

Background: Achieving integrated management and continuity of care are the two main aims of the Veneto Region's health planning legislation for 2012-2016. Under this framework, and to meet new emerging population needs, it has become necessary to adopt a new primary care model that embraces multi-professional teams. In response the Veneto Region has developed the Integrated Medical Group (IMG), launched in 2016. The Integrated Medical Group is an innovative model at both the regional and national level and represents a key element of the health care system. It targets several goals: it provides more effective care than in the past; guarantees services within the region while optimizing the use of resources, through integrated patient care and its accompanying care pathways; it builds dialogue between hospitals and community based primary care services; develops relationships of trust between doctors and patients, pursuing shared team goals and enhances the different skills and roles of their constituent members. Regional legislation sets challenging objectives, stating that by the end 2017, 60% of all GPs in the region should conduct their activities as part of an IMG, with a further target of 80% by the end 2018.

Keywords: Health care reform; Integrated Medical Group; Integrated care; Patient-centered care; Primary care.