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. 2021 Feb 10;21(1):5.
doi: 10.5334/ijic.5555.

A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Community Care

Yacine Thiam  1 , Jean-François Allaire  1 , Paul Morin  2   3 , Shelley-Rose Hyppolite  4   5 , Chantal Doré  2   3 , Hervé Tchala Vignon Zomahoun  6 , Suzanne Garon  2   3
Affiliations

A Conceptual Framework for Integrated Community Care

Yacine Thiam et al. Int J Integr Care. .

Abstract

Introduction: The various health and social care services provided in a given local area (i.e., place-based) must not only deliver primary care in proximity to the population, but act upstream on the social determinants of health. This type of care, when provided in a holistic and integrated manner, aims to improve the physical and mental health-but also the well-being and social capital-of individuals, families, groups and communities. This type of approach is known as Integrated Community Care (ICC).

Theory and methods: This article was developed from a non-systematic review of scientific and grey literature followed by a qualitative analysis and researcher reflections on ICC.

Results: The article presents the core concepts of ICC, namely temporality, local area, health care, social care, proximity and integration. These concepts are unpacked and a conceptual diagram is set forth to put the dynamic links between the concepts into perspective.

Discussion and conclusion: The purpose of the article is to provide a conceptual clarification of ICC. Three examples of practise (from Switzerland, Quebec [Canada] and Italy) are used as illustrations to provide a better understanding of ICC and to open up horizons.

Keywords: community based; health care; integrated care; proximity; social care; temporality.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptualisation of integrated community care.
Figure 2
Figure 2
ICC concepts in action – the Geneva CAMSCO mobile outpatient community-care consultation case.
Figure 3
Figure 3
ICC concepts in action – Sherbrooke neighbourhood intervention case.
Figure 4
Figure 4
ICC concepts in action – Trieste’s micro-territories for equity case.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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