Integrated care is an effective healthcare model that has increased in popularity over the last decade. Cardiology is one of several areas where the integrated care model can be applied to enhance patient outcomes.
What is integrated health care?
According to the American Psychological Association it is “an approach characterized by a high degree of collaboration and communication among health professionals.” A group of healthcare practitioners working together to provide care and can consist of physicians, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, exercise physiologists, social workers, and other health professionals, depending on the needs of the patient. Integrated cardiology follows this same model with the goal of:
- Collaborative and comprehensive care to improve heart health and overall wellness.
- Treating the “whole patient” including their biological, social and behavioral needs.
- Care with a focus on communication between the patient and healthcare providers as a team.
- Merging traditional treatments with evidence-based lifestyle and complementary therapies.
Examples of integrated cardiology care
In addition to regular visits with primary care and cardiology, examples of an integrated care to improve heart health include:
Nutrition
Patients can receive personalized nutrition plans to address issues such as hypertension, high cholesterol and other pertinent medical conditions like diabetes and obesity that increase risk for cardiac events. Adequate nutrition is key for patients attempting to prevent worsening conditions or to enhance recovery after heart surgeries.
Mental Health Services
Emotional issues and heart health can share a two-way connection. Conditions such as depression, anxiety and elevated stress can worsen heart issues or even trigger them. Being diagnosed with a cardiac condition can provide challenges that worsen mental health. Having access to psychologists, psychiatrists, support groups, and social workers can bring the support that is needed to navigate mental health challenges that come along with cardiac issues and improve overall outcomes. Social work can help with social determinants of health issues to improve access to needed resources. Read up on the connection between mental health and heart health in this previous post.
Physical Activity
Regular activity is key to a healthy heart. Patients can work with a dietitian, physical trainer, or exercise physiologist to obtain an individualized exercise plan that is effective and safe for them based on their medical history. Cardiac rehabilitation is a helpful service providing supervised exercise to patients who are recovering from a cardiac event and/or surgery to get stronger. Some cardiac rehabilitation facilities also provide nutrition services and mental health support to further coordination of care.
A personalized plan that complements traditional care
Integrated cardiology care goes above and beyond. In addition to regular screenings, testing and treatment, adding complementary services like nutrition, physical activity and mental health services enhance traditional care. This approach helps improve efficiency by:
- Record sharing across primary care physician, cardiologist and allied healthcare professionals, with access to member records to improve communication and care for the patient.
- The patient receives more touchpoints in their journey with access to allied healthcare professionals in between regular cardiologist visits.
- Getting treatment that is coordinated to prevent conflicting prescriptions, duplicate testing, delay of care due to waiting for referrals, and promotes the safety of the
- Making transitions smoother if a patient is hospitalized or needs a procedure as all clinicians are “in the know.”