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. 2025 May 9;25(2):9.
doi: 10.5334/ijic.9017. eCollection 2025 Apr-Jun.

Testing the TEC-MED-Integrated Transcultural Social-Ethical-Care Model for Older People in the Mediterranean Basin: A Mixed-Method Quasiexperimental Study Protocol

Marta Lima-Serrano  1 , Regina Allande-Cussó  1 , Ana Magdalena Vargas-Martínez  1 , Georges Karam  2 , Lea El-Korh  2 , Ana María Porcel-Gálvez  1
Affiliations

Testing the TEC-MED-Integrated Transcultural Social-Ethical-Care Model for Older People in the Mediterranean Basin: A Mixed-Method Quasiexperimental Study Protocol

Marta Lima-Serrano et al. Int J Integr Care. .

Abstract

Background: The global shift toward aging populations, driven by advancements in the economy, healthcare, and society, has transformed once-lethal diseases into chronic conditions. Complex patient management scenarios emerge through this trend, coupled with demographic changes, given that multiple chronic diseases coexist within an individual. The TEC-MED project, which spans multiple countries, aims to evaluate whether the TEC-MED model can improve the quality of life and reduce care dependency among older adults in the Mediterranean region.

Methods: This study employs a mixed-method approach including a longitudinal analytical quasiexperimental design, economic evaluation, and qualitative techniques such as interviews and focus groups. The sample includes at least 20,000 older adults and their caregivers from the Mediterranean basin countries. Quantitative data analysis encompasses descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses, regression models, and economic evaluation, whereas qualitative analysis involves discourse analysis and thematic categorization.

Discussion: The TEC-MED project's focus on integrating social and health care is expected to improve health outcomes and quality of life for older people and their caregivers. The anticipated outcomes will contribute valuable insights into the TEC-MED model's effectiveness in promoting person-centered care and addressing global challenges posed by aging populations.

Trial registration: NCT06184178 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Date of registration: 27/12/2023.

Keywords: TEC-MED Project; economic evaluation; longitudinal analytical design; mixed-method approach; quasiexperimental design.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Diagram of TEC-MED model’s ethical and structural components
Figure 1
Model’s theoretical framework.
TEC-MED implementation stages flowchart, from planning to analysis
Figure 2
Stages of the project.
Diagram of sampling and data collection time points
Figure 3
Expected work of the training agents.
Diagram of project activities by structure, process, outcome phases
Figure 4
Activities of the project.
TEC-MED intervention diagram based on social and needs assessment
Figure 5
The intervention overview.
Data collection diagram
Figure 6
Data collection diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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