Il ruolo delle associazioni di volontariato nelle Case della Salute e nelle Case di Comunità: un approfondimento empirico

This article discusses the role of patients and caregivers’ voluntary organizations in the ecosystem of the «Case della Salute», one of the structures that are part of the Italian primary care system even if they have not been implemented in all Italian Regions. It’s based on a research conducted in the period 2020-2022, before the introduction of the «Case della Comunità», a new primary care organisation envisaged by the Italian Recovery Plan with the aim of strengthening of the territorial health infrastructure, heavily challenged by the pandemic because its’ incapacity to bridge the gap between peoples’ homes and hospitals. Their structuring poses nowadays several critical reflections on their implementation. Regarding the «Case della Salute», associations’ expectations were to be able to contribute to and participate in the experimentation of a cross-cutting and collaborative approach between different competencies, roles, and areas of intervention to give rise to a more effective way of responding to citizens’ needs, whether health or social ones. This article analyzes some of the criticalities of this experience considering the findings of a study conducted in the Province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna Region), carried out through interviews and focus groups with practitioners and third sector representatives. The analysis is useful to support – at least to what regards our topic – the implementation of the «Case della Comunità».