The attitudes of patients to integrated medical care

Aim: to establish the attitude of inpatients to integrated medical care. Setting: a district general hospital which had recently adopted the model of integrated medical care. Methods: 205 patients of all ages were interviewed and asked about their general views and their personal experience of integrated medical care and their preference had they been given a choice. Those patients who had previously been admitted before integration were asked if they felt the quality of care had changed. Results: integrated medical wards were preferred by most patients and this preference was greater in older patients. However, 30% identified patients on their wards who they felt should be segregated on account of confusion, frailty or youthfulness. Of the 69 who had been admitted before integration, 88% commented that the quality of care was either the same or better. Conclusion: Integrated medical care was the preferred model of care, especially by elderly patients. The special needs of some patients were, however, recognized. Perhaps the ideal model is a needs-related policy within a fully integrated system.