Integration of care services is emerging as a central challenge of health care delivery, particularly for patients with elderly and complex chronic conditions. In 2003, the World Health Organisation (WHO) already began to identify it as one of the key pathways to improve primary care (World Health Report: 2003); in 2004, the European Commission declared integrated care as vital for the sustainability of social protection systems in Europe. Nowadays, it is recognised as a topical issue and a core component of health and social care reforms across European regions.

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