Public policy in the field of integration of medical and social services

In the context of modern warfare and the transformation of healthcare and social protection systems in Ukraine, there is a need to develop a comprehensive model of integrated care that ensures continuity, comprehensiveness, and a person-centred approach. The study aimed to substantiate the feasibility of integrating medical and social services and to identify key directions for developing public policy on the implementation of this type of care, based on an analysis of international experience. The methodological framework was based on a comparative analysis of various integration models, content analysis of Ukrainian regulatory and legal acts, and a systems approach to the interpretation of data on the organisation of medical and social service delivery. As a result of the analysis of international practices, various types of integration presented in the scientific literature were identified: organisational, functional, clinical, professional, regulatory, financial, informational, sectoral, intersectoral, international, horizontal, and vertical integration, as well as service integration and patient-centred integration. It has been demonstrated that medical and social services integration contributes to improved quality and accessibility of care, increased patient satisfaction, more efficient use of resources, strengthened intersectoral interaction, and support for the development of multidisciplinary collaboration. This study systematised contemporary approaches to medical and social services integration, clarified the terminological foundations, and developed criteria for defining medical and social services and their application in the Ukrainian context. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in their potential use for shaping public policy in the field of integrated care, improving government programs, regulatory frameworks, and managerial decisions in the areas of healthcare and social protection