biostudies-literatureUnknown11(9)Martens M<h4>Background</h4>Globally, health systems have been struggling to cope with the increasing burden of chronic diseases and respond to associated patient needs. Integrated care (IC) for chronic diseases offers solutions, but implementing these new models requires multi-stakeholder action and integrated policies to address social, organisational, and financial barriers. Policy implementation for IC has been little studied, especially through a political lens. This paper examines how IC policies in Belgium were developed over the last decade and how stakeholders have played a role in these policies.<h4>Methods</h4>We used a case study design. After an exploratory document review, we selected three IC policies. We then interviewed 25 key stakeholders in the field of IC. The stakeholder analysInternational journal of health policy and management1668-1681https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9808233biostudies-literatureIntegration or Fragmentation of Health Care? Examining Policies and Politics in a Belgian Case Study.PMC9808233Wouters EMartens MVan Damme WVan Belle SAnthierens SVan Olmen JRemmen RDanhieux KfalseIntegration or Fragmentation of Health Care? Examining Policies and Politics in a Belgian Case Study.<h4>Background</h4>Globally, health systems have been struggling to cope with the increasing burden of chronic diseases and respond to associated patient needs. Integrated care (IC) for chronic diseases offers solutions, but implementing these new models requires multi-stakeholder action and integrated policies to address social, organisational, and financial barriers. Policy implementation for IC has been little studied, especially through a political lens. This paper examines how IC policies in Belgium were developed over the last decade and how stakeholders have played a role in these policies.<h4>Methods</h4>We used a case study design. After an exploratory document review, we selected three IC policies. We then interviewed 25 key stakeholders in the field of IC. The stakeholder analys2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Sep2025-04-05T13:02:36.749Z2025-02-18T23:37:00.195ZS-EPMC98082333427393510.34172/ijhpm.2021.58