The Concept of Integration in Health System: A Scoping Review Publisher



A Asghari AIDA ; Av Moghaddam Abbas VOSOOGH ; Ep Jaafaripooyan Ebrahim P
Source: Payesh Published:2025

Abstract

Objective (S): Integrated health systems are considered as a solution to maintain and improve access to health care around the world. The concept of integration in the health system is apparently vague and complex. This study thus thought to shed some light on the topic. Methods: All articles on the integration in health were identified and collected covering the literature from 2000 to 2023 using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The literature analyzed and synthesized by thematic analysis. Results: In all 22 papers were reviewed. 63% of the articles were written since 2016, and most conducted in Sweden with six studies. The definitions of integration in health sector; its types in terms of structure, intensity and formality; integration models including Golden Beach and Luohu; and principles as being holistic, aim-oriented, evidence-based and fair were explored. Conclusion: Integration seems to be an abstract, complex and multidimensional concept which is developing and evolving. Since health systems in the world are moving towards integration and alignment, it seems necessary that managers become more familiar with the concepts, principles, types and models of integration. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.