Integrated care model for home-dwelling older patients with depression and physical multimorbidity (I-CONNECT)

Effective management of depression in older adults with physical multimorbidity requires integrated care to be provided in a holistic manner. No evidence is available for integrated care models for the management of depression in older adults with physical multimorbidity, although more than two thirds of the older adults attending a psychiatric service have at least one physical comorbidity. The overarching goal of this research project is to develop and evaluate an integrated care model (I-CONNECT) for home-dwelling older adults with depression and physical multimorbidity. We will conduct this research project in three phases: a development phase, a feasibility study, and an evaluation phase. The research project will be underpinned by the establishment of the Living Lab for Geriatric Mental Healthcare, to install an innovation culture that fosters the valorisation of research results.

Keywords:severe mental illness, aging, geriatric care, psychiatric care, primary care, patient-centered medical home, patient-aligned care team, mental health care, quality improvement, patient-centered care, care management, depressive disorder

Disciplines:Primary health care, Mental healthcare services, Health and community services, Health management, Gerontology and geriatrics not elsewhere classified