Construction of an Innovative Model of Chronic Disease Management in Compact County Medical Alliance with Treatment-prevention Integration

Background In 2019, the National Health Commission launched the construction of compact county medical alliance to strengthen chronic diseases management in primary care, and the construction of chronic disease management models varies among county medical alliance sites. Xindu District, as one of the first national compact county medical alliance sites in Sichuan Province, has explored both dimensions of theoretical and practical innovation in the construction of the innovative model of chronic disease management in compact county medical alliance with treatment-prevention integration, providing a new approach for the innovative development of primary compact county medical alliance in China. Objective To analyze the innovation model and its effectiveness of chronic disease management in compact county medical alliance with treatment-prevention integration of Xindu District with the experience of international integrated medical models. Methods The chronic disease management in compact county medical alliance with treatment-prevention integration of Xindu District was constructed with "one center, two integration, three reforms and four safeguard mechanisms" under the leadership of Xindu District Health Bureau, to strengthen the management of chronic diseases mainly including hypertension and diabetes. Results As of June 2022, the number of hypertension or diabetes patients under standardized management in the district increased by 50.87% compared with the initial stage of construction, the number of hypertension or diabetes patients increased by 55.28% and 49.04%, respectively; while the proportion of patients with HbA1c<7% or BP<140/90 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) increased by 70.69% and 115.28% in the past year among them, respectively. The outpatient visits of primary care increased by 14.30% in one year, among which the outpatient visits for hypertension or diabetes increased by 36.01%; while downward referrals within medical communities increased by 14.55%, creating a number of demonstration units for the transformation of treatment-prevention integration in primary care. Conclusion The innovative model of chronic disease management in compact county medical alliance with treatment-prevention integration of Xindu District has a significant effect on improving the quality and efficiency of chronic disease management in primary care.