Identifying Individuals for Integrated Multidisciplinary Care: Lessons from Finland

INTRODUCTION: This paper analyses and discusses the models and tools in the Finnish health and social care system to identify the individuals who might benefit from integrated multidisciplinary care. DESCRIPTION: The analysis and discussion of the paper is based on a study which mapped and studied the models and tools in practice or under development for identification in the Finnish health and social care organizations. The study used electric survey and structured interviews as research methods. DISCUSSION: There are several different established models of identification in Finland and the experiences of using them are mainly positive. However, only every third of health and social care organizations in Finland have defined a common model or tool. The identification practices and criteria vary by region, municipality and/or organization. The identification is in general unsystematic and insufficient in practice that may inhibit the individuals to access the integrated care they might benefit from. CONCLUSIONS: Models and tools are needed for founding and identifying individuals who are outside the service system, those whose client-ship has just begun, and those who already access services. The identification of individuals for integrated multidisciplinary care and the assimilation and understanding of different identification models and tools requires the development of basic and further competence in the different fields of health and social care. Multidisciplinary collaboration requires shared concepts and positive attitudes on the development of integrated professional environments, identification models and services. It is therefore also a question of shared working culture.