Implementation and impact of the World Health Organization integrated care for older people (ICOPE) program in China: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Fragmentation of services increases health and social care burden as people live longer with higher prevalence of diseases, frailty and dependency. Local evidence for implementing person-centred integrated care is urgently needed to advance practice and policies to achieve healthy ageing. Objective: To test the feasibility and impact of World Health Organization’s (WHO) Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach in China. Design: A randomised controlled trial examining the feasibility of implementing ICOPE approach, evaluating its impact on health outcomes and health resource utilisation. Setting: Primary care setting in urban and suburban communities of Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. Subjects: Community-dwelling older adults screened as at-risk of functional declines and randomised into intervention (537) and control (1611) groups between September 2020 and February 2021. Methods: A 6-month intervention program following WHO’s ICOPE care pathways implemented by integrated care managers compared to standard available care. Results: After 1 to 1 propensity score matching, participants in intervention and control groups (totally 938) had comparable baseline characteristics, demonstrated feasibility of implementing ICOPE with satisfaction by participants (97–99%) and providers (92–93%). All outcomes showed improvements after a 6-month intervention, while statistically significant least-squares mean differences (control-intervention) in vitality (Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short Form to measure vitality, −0.21, 95% CI, −0.40–0.02), mobility (Short Physical Performance Battery to measure mobility, −0.29, 95% CI, −0.44–0.14) and psychological health (Geriatric Depression Scale five items to measure psychological health, 0.09, 95% CI, 0.03–0.14) were observed (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It is feasible to localise and implement WHO’s ICOPE approach in regions with fragmented resources such as China. Preliminary evidence supports its acceptance among key stakeholders and impact on health outcomes.