Quality of Life and the Role of Integrated Care Models in Healthcare

Introduction: Quality of life use has gained attention from healthcare professionals due to its broad intersections of factors from personal relationships to social support to psychological well-being and physical health. Discussion: Integrated care models may help improve the overall quality of life by focusing on coordinated, generalized, systematic and comprehensive healthcare. The objective of this study was to examine how integrated care models can enhance the quality of life of individuals within healthcare systems. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to assess the effectiveness of integrated care models on healthcare quality of life. Data from relevant publications between 2010 and 2020 were included, and quality assessments were made using standardized tools. Results: The evidence shows that integrated care models have a positive impact on the quality of care. Such models incentivize cooperation between healthcare suppliers, generating a more complete and patient-centered solution. In addition, they promote family and social support network involvement and enhance individuals’ personal relations and psychological well-being. Incorporating digital technology into integrated care models can improve access to care and enable self-management of health, both of which positively impact overall quality of life as well. Conclusions: Integrated care models support individuals with diseases in health facilities to improve their quality of life. It also reinforces the importance of a more integrated and holistic healthcare system—which focuses on quality of life, not just stroke and disabling conditions. Long-term goals need to be assessed in terms of quality of life by implementing integrated care models into practice.