Bridging Traditions: Integrated Medical Care Improves Outcomes in Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, with care models that consider both biomedical and patient-centred dimensions in growing demand. This observational study evaluated a new comprehensive medical care scheme that integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing differentiation, collaborative nursing interventions, and specialized community care.
Patients with CHD were recruited and assigned to either the observation group (integrated medical care) or a control group. Data were collected via questionnaires and interviews to assess the impact of comprehensive medical care on daily life. Quality of life was measured using the MacNew and activities of daily living scores, alongside left ventricular ejection fraction, self-assessment of stress (SAS), and a Disease Severity Index.
Baseline characteristics did not differ between groups, but post-intervention differences were striking. Left ventricular ejection fraction rose to 53.8% in the observation group compared with 47.2% in controls. SAS scores decreased markedly. The Disease Severity Index showed significant reduction in the observation group. Most importantly, MacNew quality of life and activities of daily living scores improved significantly in the observation group compared with the control group.
The MacNew was central to capturing how an integrated, culturally adapted care model could translate into measurable improvements in everyday well-being. By documenting effects across emotional, physical, and social domains, the MacNew demonstrated the comprehensive nature of the intervention — and supports the further development of integrative care pathways grounded in robust patient-reported outcomes.
Reference:
Xiao, H., Deng, Y., Xiao, H., Liu, X., & Qin, N. (2024). The effect of integrated medical care on the daily life of patients with coronary heart disease. Medicine, 103(49), e40587. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000040587