Guiding research into integrated health and social care in Australia: suitability of three global frameworks for local adoption

Purpose In this paper, we aim to test the usefulness and contribute to the further development of analytical frameworks that guide research into integrated health and social care initiatives. Design/methodology/approach This study uses case studies based in decentralised administrative areas within the New South Wales state health system using (1) the Innovative Policy Supports for Integrated Health and Social Care Programs Framework, (2) the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and (3) the Framework on the Emergence and Effectiveness of Global Health Networks to assess the quality of international policies and/or strategies and integrated health and social care networks. Findings This study facilitates and advances integrated health and social care knowledge, moving from the study of local initiatives to a higher-level taxonomy of integrated care initiatives and exploring the emergence and effectiveness of global integrated care knowledge exchange networks. This paper proposes the use of three different frameworks to assess enhancement of the integrated health and social care using an array of multi-level innovation efforts as case studies. Research limitations/implications This paper highlights the need for further research, and additional supports for formulating a single unified integrated health and social care framework that can assess innovations at multiple levels beyond local settings. Practical implications A stronger partnership with key stakeholders to enhance integrated health and social care research capabilities would be a feasible way to increase care and research capabilities in all sectors. Social implications Health and social care clinicians, consumer representatives, service managers, policymakers and network knowledge partners must co-design a unified framework that better reflects the large multi-level agenda for integrated health and social care system change. Originality/value This novel study examines the level of integration of local space-based health and social care interventions, develops a taxonomy of local health district and/or primary care network integrated care initiatives to locate the “local” within a broader policy context and evaluates the quality of international policies and/or strategies and integrated health and social care networks.