SIG Special Interest Groups

Evidence-Based Integrated Care SIG

This SIG ‘Evidence Based Integrated Care’ is an initiative from the research group Evidence Integrated Care from the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Netherlands. Researchers involved include: Roelof Ettema, Wil van Erp, Marlou de Kuiper, Anneke de Jong, Ruben van Zelm, Winny Schuitemaker and Guus Schrijvers. We cordially invite others to join this SIG ‘Evidence Based Integrated Care’ and work internationally together in Integrated Care research.

Facilitated by:

Roelof Ettema

Roelof Ettema is a Principal Lecturer in Masters Integrated Care Design and Special Interest Lead for Evidence-based Integrated Care.

E: roelof.ettema@hu.nl

Developing the Evidence-Based Integrated Care SIG towards the SIG Excellent Integrated Care in a Complex world

Introduction

At the ICIC2016 conference, Barcelona, Spain a Special Interest Group (SIG) ‘Evidence-Based Integrated Care’ was launched. The rationale behind starting this SIG is that integrated care is aimed at well-organized, cost-effective processes of care delivery and consequently, research should support integrated care professionals with both evidence for effective interventions (does it work?) and evidence for effective application (does it help?).  

Since its launch, the SIG expanded to a network of 150 IFIC members who partly communicated through the IFIC website in the period this functionality was available. In the SIG the need for a comprehensive definition of integrated care, as well as methodology for research into integrated care has been discussed. This resulted in an opinion article on different ways of thinking required for integrated care research.  

However, at this point in time, we believe that broadening the scope of the SIG is in order. Two separate, but related topics could contribute significantly to the aims of the SIG. These topics are quality management and pathways for integrated care. Both focus on ‘doing the right things right’ and relate closely to the challenges for research mentioned above: effective interventions and effective delivery. And both have a long practical and scientific tradition on which we can build. 

In this memo we will outline our suggestions for ‘rebooting’ the Evidence-Based Integrated Care SIG according to the classic framework by Donabedian (1966): Structure / Process / Outcome. We start with outlining the desired outcomes, followed by processes and structure. Excellent integrated care addresses the complex needs (multiple and interactive) citizens. We suggest a new name for this SIG: Excellent Integrated Care in a Complex world.  

Outcomes

With this SIG we aim to expand a network of IFIC members (client reps, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, …) with shared commitment to and interest in advancing integrated care by combining principles of evidence-base practice, quality management, and care pathway methodology. Specific outcomes are: 

  1. A forum to learn about existing and emerging knowledge, methods, share insights, materials, and ideas on Excellent Integrated Care in a complex world. A space for collective reflexivity.  
  2. Exploration of the potential for partnerships between international associations in the field of quality management (e.g. ISQua) and care pathways (e.g. E-P-A). 
  3. Consensus around definitions, methodologies and approaches to advance integrated care in both developing and delivering evidence-based interventions that are fit for the complexity we live in. 
  4. Opportunities to promote research and policy development, for quality integrated care. 
  5. Identification of the potential role for IFIC in facilitating collaboration as well as in hosting/developing educational content. 

Process / Suggested activities 

Ad 1. A forum to learn about existing and emerging knowledge, methods, share insights, materials, and ideas on Excellent Integrated Care in a complex world.  A space for collective reflexivity.  

  • Reconnect with the former SIG members and reach out to potential new members  
    • Deadline April 2022 and potential new members also ongoing 
  • Exploration of the potential for partnerships between international associations in the field of quality management (e.g. ISQua) and care pathways (e.g. E-P-A). 
    • Deadline April 2022 
  • Create an extended network of interested parties and people. Based on our personal networks, we will invite representatives of international associations.  
    • Deadline first activities April 2022 and expand an extended network of interested parties and people also ongoing 

Ad 2. Co-author articles  

  • Starting with an article on using quality management approaches in evidence-based pathways for integrated care . 
    • Select interested authors and discuss aim and exact research question before April 2022 
    • Organize meeting of the group at IFIC 2022 
  • Getting consensus around definitions, methodologies and approaches to advance integrated care in both developing and delivering evidence-based interventions that are fit for the complexity we live in.  
    • Organize SIG meeting in April 2022  

Ad 3. Contribute to the yearly IFIC congress with plural workshops, papers and meetings 

  • Listing the contributions of this SIG for IFIC 2022 

Ad 4. Opportunities to promote research and policy development, for quality integrated care. 

  • Outline potential areas for development, research.  

Ad 5. Identification of the potential role for IFIC in facilitating collaboration as well as in      hosting/developing educational content. 

  • First discussions with IFIC January-April 2022 

 

References

Donabedian A. (1966) Evaluating the quality of medical care. Milbank Memorial Fund Q.;44(3)(suppl):166‐206. Reprinted in Milbank Q. (2005);83(4):691‐729. 

Van Kemenade, E., de Kuiper, M., Booij, M. & Minkman M. (2021), How different quality paradigms undermine a shared value base for integrated care: the need for collective reflexivity, accepted for publication in the IJIC