Transmural care

Transmural care is a model of healthcare delivery that aims to bridge the gap between primary and secondary (hospital) care. It is a patient-centered approach that focuses on the continuity of care across different healthcare settings.

Definition

Transmural care is defined as the seamless integration of healthcare services provided by primary care physicians, hospital clinicians, and other healthcare professionals across the continuum of care. The goal is to ensure that patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, by the right healthcare provider.

History

The concept of transmural care originated in the Netherlands in the late 20th century, in response to the growing need for integrated care for chronic diseases. It has since been adopted in various forms in many other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Principles

Transmural care is based on several key principles:

• Continuity of care: This involves ensuring that care is coordinated and continuous across different healthcare settings.
• Patient-centered care: Care is tailored to the individual needs and preferences of each patient.
• Collaboration: Healthcare providers work together in a multidisciplinary team to provide integrated care.
• Shared decision-making: Patients are involved in decisions about their care, in partnership with their healthcare providers.

Benefits

Transmural care has several potential benefits:

• Improved patient outcomes: By ensuring that care is coordinated and continuous, transmural care can help to improve patient outcomes.
• Reduced healthcare costs: By reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions, transmural care can help to reduce healthcare costs.
• Improved patient satisfaction: By involving patients in decisions about their care, transmural care can help to improve patient satisfaction.

Challenges

Despite its potential benefits, implementing transmural care can be challenging. It requires significant changes to traditional models of healthcare delivery, including changes to healthcare provider roles, care processes, and information systems. It also requires a supportive policy and regulatory environment.

See also

• Integrated care
• Primary care
• Secondary care
• Patient-centered care
• Shared decision-making