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What do different people value in integrated care: a study of 42 European countries on the role of values

In a new study recently published in the International Journal of Integrated Care (IJIC), Vilans Senior Researcher Nick Zonneveld explores the importance of values underpinning integrated, people-centred health services, and examines similarities and differences among the values prioritised by stakeholders across Europe. 

Conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and colleagues from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and Tilburg University, the study used a questionnaire to survey 1,013 respondents from 42 European countries about their priority values. The questionnaire was distributed among European service users/patients and informal carers (and their representatives), healthcare professionals, policy and decision makers, and researchers in integrated, people-centred health services.

The findings conclude that although much knowledge about the functional aspects of integrated, people-centred health services is available, actual implementation of integrated, people-centred health services remains challenging.

Co-authors: Ludo Glimmerveen (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)), Patrick Kenis (Tilburg University), Nuria Toro, Anne Stæhr Johansen (World Health Organization) and Mirella MN Minkman (Vilans.org/Vilans).