Introduction

CAREPATH is a Horizon 2020’s project that proposes an ICT based solution for the optimization of clinical practice in the treatment and management of multimorbid patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Mild Dementia. CAREPATH focuses on the enhancement of healthcare interventions for the management of conditions of elderly multimorbid patients, which present many challenges for Europe, as existing healthcare systems remain single- diease oriented.

Vision

CAREPATH Follows a patient-centred integrated care approach, to develop a flexible and modular system that will provide improved interventions for the management of multimorbid elderly patients with dementia.

Objectives

• Patient-centered approach

Through an integrated ICT platform that jointly and efficiently addresses multimorbidity and dementia challenges while also considering the intrinsic capacity of the patient.

• Technical Validation and Usability (TVU) study

To evaluate usability, UX (user experience), and usefulness of the CAREPATH platform. Safety issues will also be addressed.

• Propose a technology-driven framework

Enabling patient-focussed Integrated Care pathways, with associated healthcare models for the management of multimorbid elderly patients with dementia for QoL improvement.

• Develop Quality Key Performance Indicator

For the management of multimorbid elderly patient with dementia exploiting the findings of the CAREPATH two-year CI.

• Health Economics impact assessment

In terms of cost effectiveness and care provision inequalities

Challenges

• Lack of infrastructures

CAREPATH pilot studies will include 4 different health systems, so that we will be able to identify the minimum pre-requisites and necessary infrastructures and the toolbox could be implemented in different contexts in Europe.

• Lack of trust/security

CAREPATH is designed to minimize security issues as has been described and will evaluate the trust of the patients and health systems in the solutions and will identify the minimum gaps/issues.

• Lack of resources/cost

CAREPATH will optimize the health system resources to really change the organizational model of Integrated Care.

• Resistance to change of model/roles

CAREPATH will generate evidence to convince and explain the advantages of the care model and will provide a change management plan.

Consortium

The CAREPATH consortium is well-balanced both in terms of geographical spread (10 partners from 6 countries), 4 clinical partners (SKB, UHCW, SESCAM and CITST), a R&D centre (Fraunhofer), two universities (WARWICK and UCLM) and 4 industrial partners (EXYS, CITST, SRDC and OCT)