We evaluated a collaborative care program aimed at improving cooperation among general practitioners (GPs) and cardiologists in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. The program focused on improving care for patients with chronic cardiac conditions.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study. The observation period was 2 years.
The study was based on claims data and compared groups of patients who participated in the collaborative care program (GP-centered care and the cardiology contract) with patients receiving usual care. The evaluation focused on care coordination, quality, health service utilization, and costs in patients with heart failure, coronary heart disease, heart rhythm disorders, and/or valvular heart disease (disease cohorts). Multivariable regression models were used to adjust for differences in patient characteristics between the groups.
Across all disease cohorts, participation in the collaborative care program was associated with better care coordination and improved quality in a broad range of indicators (pharmacotherapy and vaccination). Results showed lower emergency service utilization and hospitalizations, lower consultation frequencies with GPs and specialists, and a shift from inpatient to outpatient procedures. Program participation resulted in higher costs for outpatient cardiologist treatment, but disease-specific costs were lower overall.
The results underline evidence that health care service programs that strengthen collaboration between GPs and cardiologists can substantially improve the care of patients with chronic cardiac conditions while simultaneously reducing costs.

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