Introduction Integrated care represents a transformative approach to delivering person-centred healthcare, aiming to reduce health inequalities, improve outcomes and boost system efficiency. The WHO advocates integrated care, which is also a central pillar of the UK government's National Health Service (NHS) 10-year plan.
However, there remains a significant evidence gap regarding optimal organisational strategies for designing and delivering integrated care services. Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) refer to the coexistence of two or more chronic physical and/or mental health conditions in a person.
This complex need requires coordinated support from multiple healthcare services, and individuals with MLTCs may particularly benefit from integrated care services. This review aims to identify and synthesise evidence regarding the organisational structures (care set-up) and processes (care delivery) that support integrated care models for adults with MLTCs.
Methods An information specialist and research team will co-develop a search strategy and search databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO) for empirical articles between January 1990 and December 2025. Date restrictions reflect the establishment of integrated care as a concept for organising and delivering health services.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 24 Jun 2026.
The item focuses on Evaluating the structure and process of effective integrated care for people with multiple long-term conditions: systematic review protocol.
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