ObjectivesTo analyze the theoretical and practical research and effect evaluation of integrated care at home and abroad, so as to provide evidence for the development of integrated care in China.MethodsPubMed, CNKI and WanFang Data databases and government documents, research reports were searched to collect studies on integrated care, and then literature review was then performed.ResultsForeign integrated care was dominated at government level. The integration involved numerous departments such as hospital and insurance institutions. The degree of integration was high and funds were sufficient. The theoretical framework was studied from the macro, meso and micro perspectives, and people-centered, value-based integration was proposed. However, in China the integrated care was primarily guided by the government nationally. Local government was responsible for specific integration practices. The degree of integration was low and funds were insufficient. The theoretical research mostly focused on cooperation, interest mechanisms and so on. At home and abroad, researchers focused on the evaluation of health service and quality. Foreign countries paid more attention to medical costs, while in China, due to the imbalance of interest mechanisms, researchers paid more attention to medical expenses and performance evaluation.ConclusionThere is no unified theoretical framework and method for integrated medical care. Researchers and policy makers should combine the successful experience and characteristics at home and abroad, consider the complex health policy context of the country to implement integrated care.