Lessons learned from the Camden Coalition's work with high needs, high complexity patients

The Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers built a nationally recognized model of intensive care coordination for high needs, high complexity patients. The model was tested using a randomized controlled trial, which showed no impact on hospital and emergency room utilization. This was a surprising result at the time. The negative results may have been due to several factors including untreated and unresolved early life trauma, lack of access to appropriately trained local services, and incorrect diagnosis and treatments within the health care field. Integration of high-quality primary care services within the mental health and social service field may be a more effective solution than coordination between services.