Integrated Care – where do we stand today?
In November, staff from the School of Health and Welfare (HHJ) at Jönköping University (JU) participated in a research conference in Gothenburg, organized by the network Healthcare Research in Collaboration (Swe. Vårdforskning i Samverkan, ViS). The conference focused on the topic of Integrated care (Swe. Nära vård), a reform that aims to make healthcare more person-centred, accessible and integrated into individuals' everyday lives.
Photo: Olga Kononenko/Unsplash
Linda Johansson, Acting Associate Dean of Research at HHJ, together with the other members of the ViS steering group, carried out a research project in conjunction with the conference aimed at strengthening research in the field, mapping the field of research today, and creating sustainable models for the future of close care.
“There is a demand in society for research on the transition to Integrated care. It is therefore very pleasing to see that there is so much interest among both researchers and practitioners in a conference that focuses on this,” says Linda Johansson.
The need for new knowledge and innovative ways of working
The ageing population and the increased need for care are putting pressure on Swedish health and social care, where both resources and competences need to be streamlined. The conference brought together researchers and representatives from municipalities, regions and academia to discuss how the work with Integrated Care can be further developed and evidence-based. In total, around 80 people attended who were invited via the network's eight partners: the University of Gothenburg, the University of Borås, Halmstad University, HHJ, Skövde University, University West, Region Västra Götaland as well as the elderly and social care administration in the City of Gothenburg.
Linda Johansson at the research conference in Gothenburg.
“Many smaller research and development projects are currently underway, but in order to build evidence, larger national projects are needed where systematic and scientific methods are used. This also requires more collaboration between higher education institutions, regions and municipalities,” she continues.
A partnership for the future
The conference was the start of a research project run by the ViS steering group, which consists of representatives from the eight partners. The project is in line with the network's purpose and objectives: to promote the development and visibility of healthcare research and its utilization.
“The partners in ViS run various collaborative research projects, but this is the first time that a project has been initiated and implemented by the steering group. Studying the research itself feels both meaningful and sensible as the results are intended to form the basis for future healthcare research. Results can also be valuable for research funders when deciding which research should be promoted,” says Linda.
In addition to the presentations and discussions on Integrated care, the conference included workshops and panel discussions, where participants contributed with insights and experiences. This material, together with a questionnaire sent out to all those present at the conference, will form the basis for a scientific article, focusing on what research is needed to provide the conditions for more accessible and personalized care throughout the country.
“We only have preliminary results so far, but among other things, it emerges that more research is needed on collaboration and communication between different actors, but also that various Integrated care initiatives need to be followed up and effects need to be analyzed to a greater extent. An important aspect that also emerges is that more digital technology and increased collaboration risk having a negative impact on staff and therefore there is a need to also focus on aspects such as work environment and workload among health and care staff,” Linda Johansson concludes.
