Integrated Health Association –Region of Wallonia, Belgium
The Integrated Health Association (ASI) is a practice originally deployed in the region of Wallonia, Belgium and owned by the AVIQ. Subsequently established the same system in the regions of Flanders and Brussels, currently there are 101 ASIs that are active in 52 municipalities, with just over half located in urban areas. These ASI centres are primary care practices incorporating a multidisciplinary team offering basic services, including medical care, nursing, physiotherapy and psycho-social assistance. The team members consult each other in coordination meetings, assessing the needs of the beneficiaries, including for implementation of /or to consider community health projects that could help them. Evaluation of these ASI centres has shown a positive impact on patient health and cost-effectiveness. The lessons learnt from this practice are that 1) the coordination of providers leads to better quality care in a patient centred way; 2) the multidisciplinary team coordination allows for the “right care by the right carer”; 3) the establishment of community health activities.