The perceptions of Dutch General Practitioners on the implementation of a Proactive Integrated Care Approach for Hotspotters

Abstract

Background. For a subgroup of patients with complex health problems called “Hotspotters”, a new proactive and integrated care (PIC) approach in the primary care setting is being developed to stimulate health improvement among these patients. To ensure sustainable implementation of this approach it is important to study implementation outcomes in preliminary implementation phase. In this study, we explore whether general practitioners (GPs) recognise Hotspotters patients, their needs, and how they perceive the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the PIC approach. Methods. GPs were recruited in the regions of Utrecht and The Hague in the Netherlands. They filled in a questionnaire on recognition of Hotspotters, Hotspotters’ needs, acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Results. Most GPs (90.90%) recognise Hotspotters as a patient group, but only 42.90% are aware of their needs. Also, most GPs (80.90%) agreed that care change is needed. Furthermore, only 4.50% of GPs did not find the PIC approach acceptable, while a larger percentage reported to disagree on the appropriateness (22.70%) and feasibility (22.70%). Conclusions. Most of the GPs recognise Hotspotters, are somewhat aware of their needs, open for care change and would consider adopting the PIC approach if it was made to be more feasible.