Integrated care at the crossroads-defining the way forward

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The absence of standardized terminology and common frameworks in Integrated Care impedes comparative analysis of experiences and outcomes.
• The interdisciplinary nature of Integrated Care, while potentially a strength, presents challenges in theoretical and practical application.
• There is a critical need to bridge the gap between theory and practice in Integrated Care research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the pressing issues and challenges in future Integrated Care research.
• To foster discussion and identify key areas for development within the field.
• To consolidate understanding and promote the concept of Integrated Care.

Main Methods:

• An expert workshop was convened to discuss critical aspects of Integrated Care.
• Discussions focused on four main topics: common definitions, evaluation, quality, methods, tools, healthy environments, governance, management, and future research questions.
• The workshop aimed to formulate actionable steps and research questions for the future of Integrated Care.

Main Results:

• The workshop identified the necessity for consolidation within the Integrated Care domain to promote the concept.
• Key discussion areas included defining a common base for integrated care, evaluation, quality, methods, tools, and governance.
• Actionable outcomes and future research questions were formulated based on the workshop discussions.

Conclusions:

• The expert workshop underscored the need for greater consolidation and collaboration in Integrated Care research.
• Researchers are encouraged to enhance coordination and cooperation, drawing insights from related disciplines.
• The future success of Integrated Care as an independent and interdisciplinary research field remains to be determined.