Objective This study aimed to assess the understanding, adoption, and barriers to implementing integrated care for chronic diseases among healthcare professionals in Greece. By gathering insights from healthcare professionals directly involved in the care of patients with chronic conditions, this study sought to identify areas for improvement and inform future policy and strategic initiatives to enhance the quality of care and patient outcomes in Greece. Specific objectives included assessing healthcare professionals' knowledge and understanding of integrated care concepts, principles, and components in chronic disease management and exploring healthcare professionals' experiences in providing or participating in integrated care activities for patients with chronic diseases. Methods This study employed a census-based survey design to assess healthcare professionals' understanding, adoption, and barriers to the implementation of integrated care for chronic diseases in the Greek healthcare system. The sampling technique has been used to ensure the representation of different healthcare professions and regions in Greece. The survey questionnaire was structured based on the internationally recognized Chronic Care Model Elements Survey, specifically tailored to capture insights on integrated care for chronic illnesses in Greece. Healthcare professionals from diverse settings, including primary healthcare centers, public and private hospitals, specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, home-based care services, and private sector practitioners, were targeted to gather comprehensive perspectives. Both urban and rural areas were included to ensure a representative sample, enabling an understanding of integrated care implementation in Greece. Results A total of 246 responses from healthcare professionals in Greece were collected and analyzed. An applicability index was constructed to evaluate the suitability of the integrated care system in Greece, utilizing variables collected during the survey. The reliability of the index was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, which demonstrated a high value of 0.940, indicating strong internal consistency and correlation among the questions related to integrated care. However, the data collected for Greece exhibited a departure from a normal distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test, suggesting the presence of barriers to the implementation of integrated care within the Greek healthcare system. Conclusions The study revealed several obstacles to integrated care implementation, encompassing organizational and individual factors, such as financial constraints, cultural differences, and regulatory challenges. Tackling these barriers will require a collective approach and close collaboration among multiple stakeholders to create an enabling context for adopting integrated care. Possible strategies involve resource allocation, fostering communication and cooperation among healthcare providers, and revising regulatory frameworks to facilitate integrated care practices. In order to achieve the national objectives of improving public health, the survey increases the focus on evidence-based public health.
Keywords: applicability index; care coordination; chronic care model; chronic diseases; greece; healthcare professionals; healthcare services; integrated care; policy reforms; survey study.
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