An integrative approach for primary care-coordinated, needs-based care for post-viral illnesses and ME/CFS to improve participation (GRACI)

Project description

The GRACI project aims to support needs-based care for patients with post-viral illnesses and ME/CFS. The goal is to improve patients' social and occupational participation. A structured electronic "toolbox" will support general physicians in the diagnostic process and in the severity-based selection of treatments. This includes outpatient and inpatient care, as well as rehabilitation. The toolbox is being developed in collaboration with advisory boards consisting of experts from various disciplines as well as patient representatives, and is based on relevant literature. Particular emphasis will be placed on the needs of those affected and those working in the medical profession. Social context factors will be taken into account in the development of the toolbox. The toolbox will be tested in everyday care by family physicians in northern and southern Germany as part of a controlled pilot project. The results will be examined from various perspectives: For example, the health outcomes reported by patients, the employment prognosis, and the utilisation of health and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, an accompanying process evaluation will capture empirical data such as benefits, applicability, and opportunities for optimisation.

The toolbox is the first of its kind to support general physicians in providing care to this target group. In the event of potential uncertainties in diagnostics and treatment, it can provide better guidance and strengthen mutual trust in the doctor-patient relationship. If the results are positive, it has the potential to reduce over-, under-, and mistreatment, i.e., to ensure targeted, needs-based care and accelerate the uptake of tailored services. This is an important prerequisite for improving the individual situation of patients and promoting long-term social participation. Furthermore, needs-oriented primary care and care structures appropriate to the clinical picture make a decisive contribution to the recognition and visibility of post-infectious syndromes in medicine and society.

Description adapted from project website: see link above.