Assessing Innovative Healthcare Models: An Integrated Measurement Framework of Clinical, Economic, Social, and Environmental Performance

Abstract

Population ageing is among the most consequential demographic shifts of the twenty-first century, with the share of adults aged 65 and over rising rapidly across Europe and particularly in Italy. This transition is accompanied by increasing multimorbidity, chronic disease burden, and long-term care needs that strain traditional hospital-centred systems, which are ill-equipped to address the complex, multidimensional needs of older populations. Consequently, policymakers are advancing innovative socio-healthcare models that prioritize community-based services, integration of health and social care, prevention, and person-centred approaches. These reforms promote multidisciplinary pathways, home-based assistance, digital health solutions, and new organizational structures aimed at improving sustainability and quality of care.Despite their growing adoption, evaluating the effectiveness of these models remains challenging. Existing performance assessment frameworks focus largely on clinical outputs and financial metrics, overlooking broader outcomes such as quality of life, accessibility, social participation, and system resilience. Addressing this gap requires multidimensional evaluation tools capable of capturing the full value generated by integrated socio-healthcare systems. This study responds by systematically identifying indicators proposed in the scientific and grey literature to assess innovative care models for ageing populations. Through a structured review of evaluation frameworks across healthcare, social services, and integrated care contexts, the research highlights fragmentation in terminology and methodologies that limits comparability and decision-making. The resulting indicator system incorporates measures of accessibility, workforce capacity, environmental impact, social inclusion, well-being, clinical effectiveness, and cost efficiency. This comprehensive framework supports balanced performance appraisal, continuous monitoring, and evidence-informed policy decisions to enhance care delivery and outcomes for ageing societies

Keywords: Digital Health, Healthcare, Multidimensional Performance, Sustainability

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007488