Engaging high-risk patients in intensive care coordination programs: the engagement through CARInG framework

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Engagement Strategies
• Complex Care Management

Background:

• Intensive outpatient care programs (IOCPs) target high-risk patients with significant healthcare needs.
• Patient engagement is crucial for IOCP success but often challenging.
• Existing programs face limitations in engaging patients effectively in self-care and treatment adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a framework for enhancing patient engagement in Intensive Outpatient Care Programs (IOCPs).
• To address challenges in engaging high-risk patients with complex medical, behavioral, and social needs.
• To provide guidance for interventions aimed at improving self-care and care coordination.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 20 leaders and clinicians from 12 diverse IOCPs.
• Conventional content analysis of data from surveys and interviews.
• Exploration of program conceptualizations of patient engagement and characteristics of highly engaged patients.

Main Results:

• Identification of three core domains for patient engagement: Communication, Relationships, and Insight.
• The Engagement Through CARInG Framework summarizes these domains: Communication and actions to improve health; Relationships built on trust; and Insight and goal-setting ability.
• Findings highlight the spectrum and interconnectedness of engagement domains.

Conclusions:

• The Engagement Through CARInG Framework offers a structured approach to improve patient engagement in IOCPs.
• This framework can guide the development of targeted interventions for high-risk populations.
• Enhancing engagement is key to improving self-care and care coordination for complex patients.