7-Fasen model voor de ontwikkeling, implementatie, evaluatie en continue opvolging van zorgpaden

Care pathways, also known as clinical pathways, are used worldwide to organize and follow up patient focused care processes. Care pathways are nowadays defined as complex interventions. In the past years, more than 110 organizations in Belgium and The Netherlands performed more than 1.200 pathway projects. These projects used the 30 step methodology of the Belgian Dutch Clinical Pathway Network, developed by the Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) between 1998 and 2002. Based on the experience in the Network between 2002 and 2009 and on national and international research in close collaboration with the European Pathway Association, the methodology was revised. The 30 step methodology was changed into a seven phase model to develop, implement, evaluate and continuously follow up care pathways and is applicable for in-hospital, primary care and cross boundary projects. The seven phases consist of a screening phase, a project management phase, a diagnose phase, a development phase, an implementation phase, an evaluation phase and a continuous follow-up phase. Compliance to this methodology constitutes no guarantee for success but could support the multidisciplinary teams who want to (re)organise safe, efficient, effective, patient centered, timely, equitable, continuous and integrated care processes. The collaboration and critical attitude of the whole multidisciplinary team under the directorship of the medical doctor will be the keys to success.