An innovative multimorbidity patient-centered care model in Chile: implementation evaluation results

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Health Services Research
• Public Health Innovation

Background:

• Non-communicable diseases and multimorbidity pose significant global health system challenges.
• Latin America requires practical innovations to address these growing health burdens.
• The Multimorbidity Patient-Centered Care Model (MPCM) pilot was implemented in Chile (2017-2020) to shift from fragmented care to patient-centered, needs-based interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation process of the MPCM pilot in Chile.
• To identify key learnings from the pilot phase for future scalability.
• To assess the model's contribution to reorganizing health services around patient needs and multimorbidity risk.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, collaborative implementation evaluation design was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 69 professionals and stakeholders.
• The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Outcomes for Implementation Research guided the theoretical approach.

Main Results:

• The MPCM pilot demonstrated successful implementation of a complex health innovation.
• Positive results suggest the model's potential for broader adoption.
• Key facilitators included strong leadership and team commitment; barriers included staff turnover and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The study provides valuable insights into evaluating innovative multimorbidity care models in Chile.
• Scaling up MPCM necessitates careful consideration of lessons learned and a robust monitoring plan.
• This research highlights the importance of Implementation Science for enhancing public health policies and quality improvement in Latin America.