Abstract for: Increasing value in healthcare by leveraging integrated care pathways: focus on femur fractures

With the global population continuously increasing, many countries are facing an aging population. This demographic shift impacts their fiscal systems, labor markets, and healthcare systems. In the last case, this will require increased care for the elderly population, especially when facing severe diseases needing care either in hospital or at home. Integrated healthcare, emphasizing collaboration between professionals, care organizations, and patients, could address these challenges. The paper examines integrated pathways in healthcare by developing a System Dynamics model to analyze the femur fracture care pathway. Three key areas are identified: pre-hospital, hospital, and post-hospital care. A case study investigates how to structure integrated pathways and design policies to enhance professional cooperation, empower patients and improve outcomes. The concept of co-production in healthcare is used to analyze the findings. The research builds on an extensive literature review on how health and social care organizations manage inter-organizational relationships. By developing a case study, a preliminary stock and flow diagram was developed, however to be further refined and calibrated. Preliminary policies focus on prevention, staff training, and improving post-discharge care. This study allows exploring how health and social care organizations manage relationships to deliver efficient services in an integrated healthcare perspective. The System Dynamics model allowed identifying policies to improve outcomes, specifically by enhancing collaboration, empowering patients and professionals, and improving care pathways. Overall, the study allows exploring how integrated healthcare may work in practice, particularly relying on co-produced care.