The management of chronic patients in Italy: a comparative study of Veneto, Lazio and Sicily

The management of chronic patients represents one of the main current and future challenges in the Italian healthcare context. The role of public administration in providing efficient and quality services for this management is fundamental. The main objectives of the research will be: first, to analyse the policies and strategies adopted by the Veneto, Lazio and Sicily regions for the management of chronic patients; second, to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and initiatives implemented in each region; and, third to identify the challenges and best good practices in the management of chronic patients in different regional contexts. The three regions covered by the study and their demographic, socio-economic and health characteristics will be presented. A documentary analysis of regional policies regarding the management of chronic patients will be shown. Subsequently, a collection and analysis of health data relating to the management of chronic patients in the three regions will be carried out. Finally, interviews and surveys will be carried out with key stakeholders, healthcare administrators, healthcare professionals and chronic patient associations. The differences and similarities between the policies and practices adopted by the three regions will then be highlighted, through specific key indicators such as access to health services, treatment coverage, quality of care, patient involvement and financial sustainability. The main conclusions will be summarized and recommendations will be formulated to improve the management of chronic patients in the Italian regions, based on the results of the study, on the best practices identified and on the strengths of the public policies of the individual regions.