Using outcomes data and clinical process redesign: improving clinical services.

This paper reviews and discusses existing barriers to diagnosis and treatment for patients with dementia in Europe as well as approaches to overcome these barriers. The barriers to care are manifold, being present at all levels in each society and between countries in Europe. Multilevel and multifaceted strategies are needed to improve diagnosis and treatments for all patients with cognitive complaints. A multidisciplinary approach based on close collaboration between GPs and specialised memory clinics may be the ideal model for early accurate diagnosis and subsequently early pharmacological and psychosocial interventions. For all healthcare professionals, there should be specialised training in dementia and frequently updated practice guidelines to provide the framework for standards of care. Culture-sensitive strategies to promote public knowledge and destigmatize dementia are essential. Policy makers and authorities should be made aware of the benefits of early access to diagnosis and treatment.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗

PubMed2007

[Public Health Genomics. The integration of genome-based knowledge into public health research, policies and health services].

Which consequences can be drawn from genome-based knowledge and how can it be responsibly and timely translated into policies and practice? What are recent developments in genetics and molecular biology, what are the challenges, what are the risks of these developments? Which policies can provide an acceptable balance between providing strong protection of individuals'interests and needs while enabling society to benefit from the genomic advances and empowering individuals? How can molecular medicine contribute to more effective and efficient health care services, and what infrastructures and policies can already now be implemented to assure a benefit for population health? Thus, Public Health Genomics (PHG) tries to answer these challenging questions. This integration of genomics into the aims of public health is called Public Health Genomics (PHG) and is defined as "the responsible and effective translation of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public policy and health services for the benefit of population health".

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗

PubMed2006

[Rehabilitation and integration management].

At the core of a high-quality and efficient rehabilitation management, there is always a sophisticated analysis of each specific case and situation. This analysis is performed from a professional, medical and psychological point of view. It is set in the context of a case situation with regard to elements of civil law and social security regulations. The analysis explicitly takes the overall situation of the client into account. The success of the rehabilitation plan - and the amount of the overall costs--depend very much on the level of accuracy with which this analysis is conducted. Highly competent medical and job-specific knowledge, as well as psychological know-how, is required. Rehabilitation management does not refer to a fixed set of certain measures, but has to be applied to the specific healing plan and resources of the client.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗