Moving Forward With Integrated Care: The Use of Realist Approaches to Understand What Works, How, for Whom and Under Which Circumstances.

Abstract

The purpose of our commentary is to raise the pro fi le of alternate methodological approaches, speci fi cally realist approaches, for advancing knowledge of and practice in healthcare innovations for diverse patient populations. We will use the example of literature reviews on integrated care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic diseases, such as COPD, have created signi fi cant burdens on healthcare systems. One evidence-informed approach to chronic disease management is integrated care. Implemented by healthcare systems to overcome care fragmentation, it has been shown to bring bene fi ts to patients, at least in some healthcare dimensions. rmed precision: integrated care results in previous rigorously conducted and reliable of