PROCARE

PROCARE was co-financed by
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
THE FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME
QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVING RESOURCES
KEY ACTION "THE AGEING POPULATION AND DISABILITIES"
Contract No. QLK6-CT-2002-00227

PROCARE was to help in defining the new concept of an integrated health and social care for older persons in need of care by comparing and evaluating different modes of care delivery. The project identified structural, organisational, economic and social-cultural factors and actors that constitute an integrated care system with enhanced outcomes for all actors involved. Thus, performance and quality indicators for use in evidence-based policy making, planning, quality assurance and controlling of social and health services have been developed, based on individual interviews with clients and their carers, and focus group discussions with all stakeholders involved in integrated care delivery systems. The dissemination of good practice by involving professionals and various organisations from 9 EU Member States promoted the development of a European understanding of integrated care, and shared views of definitions and approaches.

First Publication

This book gathers the achievements of the first project phase (2002) that consisted in a literature overview focusing on the question which of the variety of innovations in modes of organisation, finance and professional collaboration observed in Europe over the last decade have been the most successful and long-lasting ones. Thus, national reports from nine EU Member States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK) will be presented by scholars from leading research and consulting agencies in these countries. The national reports follow a mutually agreed structure. The publication is introduced by a general overview and a more theoretical article defining the issues at stake.

Public Conference

From 21-23 October 2004, a Public Conference in Venice (San Servolo) gathered almost 150 participants from all over Europe, the US, Israel and Canada. The aims of the conference were to present the results of PROCARE to a broader public, in particular by

- confronting the chosen approach with scholars, practitioners and policy-makers working in a similar direction

- giving evidence found in empirical research in nine European countries, and

- discussing policy recommendations at local, national and European levels.

Final Publication

This book draws on the achievements of the second project phase (2003-2004) that consisted in empirical fieldwork and a cross-national analysis of 18 model ways of working in the 9 participating EU Member States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK). The participating researchers, scholars from leading research and consulting agencies in these countries, formed trans-national teams to elaborate on the most essential transversal issues, problems and solutions in integrated care delivery, thus contributing to the development of a European perspective. Issues discussed include definitions, access, key-innovations, professional cultures and joint working, quality and outcome measurement, the role of the family, working conditions, and general framework conditions and financing.