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TimelyCare - A Proactive Primary Care Model: Delivering the Right Care at the Right Time for Individuals at Risk of High Care Consumption
Sponsor: Linnaeus University
Summary
Healthcare systems face persistent challenges in providing coordinated, proactive care for individuals with complex health needs, resulting in high vulnerability to fragmented care, acute clinical deterioration, and frequent emergency hospital admissions. TimelyCare is a proactive, multimodal primary care intervention designed to improve care continuity, optimize hospital-to-home transitions, and reduce unplanned acute healthcare dependency among high-risk individuals. This study evaluates the TimelyCare model using a pragmatic, stepped-wedge matched cluster-controlled trial (SW-CRT) with an open dynamic cohort across 12-15 primary healthcare centers in Region Kalmar, Sweden. The intervention targets individuals identified through an innovative combined risk algorithm integrating high morbidity (Resource Utilization Bands \[RUB\] levels 4-5) and sociodemographic vulnerability (Demographic Statistical Areas \[DeSO\]). The primary hypothesis is that exposure to the TimelyCare intervention will significantly reduce unplanned hospital admission rates over an 18-month follow-up period compared with usual care, while improving patient-experienced continuity, health-related quality of life, and healthcare cost-effectiveness.
Official title: TimelyCare - A Proactive Primary Care Model for Delivering Appropriate Care to Individuals at Risk of High Care Consumption: Study Protocol for a Stepped-Wedge, Cluster-Controlled Trial With Economic and Process Evaluation
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
1200
Start Date
2025-09-01
Completion Date
2028-09-30
Last Updated
2026-10-27
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Timely Care,
The TimelyCare intervention combines four synergistic clinical components administered through interprofessional collaboration across regional primary healthcare centers (PHCCs), hospital wards, municipal home care, and emergency medical services: Component A: Coordinated Care Transitions Intervention Administered: Standardized transition protocols and digital communication pathways to bridge information gaps during hospital-to-home discharges Component B: Designated GP / Care Contact. Intervention Administered: Formal assignment of a named General Practitioner (GP) and/or a designated care-contact nurse Component C: Proactive Serious Illness Conversations Intervention Administered: Structured, proactive care-planning discussions using the Swedish-adapted Serious Illness Conversation Guide Component D: Emergency Decision Support \& Fast-Track Pathways Intervention Administered: Decision-support tools and fast-track escalation protocols for managing acute home-based deteriorations
Locations (1)
Region Kalmar County
Kalmar, Sweden