What does integrated care aim to improve in the health care system?

Integrated care aims to improve coordination across health services and enhance patient experiences. This approach recognizes that patients often navigate a complex health care system where services can be disjointed. By fostering integration, the health care system can create a more seamless experience for patients, ensuring that all aspects of their care — from primary to secondary services — are well-organized and connected.

This coordination helps eliminate gaps in care, reduces duplication of services, and leads to better health outcomes. Patients benefit from clear communication among healthcare providers, which can result in more comprehensive treatment plans and follow-up care. By focusing on the patient's journey through the health care system, integrated care emphasizes holistic treatment and support, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction and improved health status.

In contrast to the correct choice, the other options either focus on aspects that do not align with the goals of integrated care or are overly narrow. For instance, competition among providers might detract from collaboration, reduction of health literacy undermines informed patient participation, and a focus solely on access to specialized services neglects the importance of a comprehensive approach to care coordination.