Project Integrated-continual exchange of case study experiences

Objective for Case Studies

In order to gain a better understanding of different integrated care scenarios, four cases studies have been undertaken in Project INTEGRATE. They will provide a description of the type of integration achieved and the influences which resulted in this type of integration, in a way which will allow comparisons and conclusions between different contexts.

To allow for these cross-comparisons between different conditions and different health systems, and to extract the maximum transferable learning we have developed a common methodological framework for use by all case studies.

Common methodological framework

As laid out by Prof Liesbeth BorgerMans in her blog ‘How Project INTEGRATE might be of help to the conceptualisation of integrated care’, we realised the importance of establishing our own homogenous definition of integrated care, to enable a common understanding paramount for the realisation of the project activities and also valuable for future literature.

Additionally, we jointly developed common data collection tools meant to meet the data requirements of all four case studies, both collectively and individually. This has been a challenging exercise, but also very stimulating, as all partners contributing their different ideas from the vantage point of different knowledge, expertise and experience.

At present, we are carrying out the case studies, applying the methodology to each individual case study. In our recent 3^rd Scientific Committee meeting at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, all partners have shared their experience, encouraging shared learning and translation of experiences across institutions, countries and contexts, mainly through the identification of successes, challenges and subsequent solutions to overcome them. For example, we established common strategies for overcoming the lack of available data, the further adaption of interview questions for certain stakeholders, and developed a common case report template guiding the analysis of findings. Preliminary case study findings were presented followed by brainstorming sessions, where subsequent action plans for each case study were developed.

Findings coming soon

We look forward to sharing case study findings internally at our 4^th Scientific Committee meeting, as well as externally in terms of content but also methodological issues, at the 14^th IFIC Conference “Taking integrated care forward: people, policy and practice” held in Brussels in early April 2014.