Embracing boundaries when organizing integrated care: a reflexive workshop

Relevance of this workshop: Organizing integrated care requires a cross-disciplinary approach as it exceeds the boundaries of a single professional, institute, or domain. The issues necessitating integrated care can be approached from multiple perspectives, leading to a variety of approaches and solutions. Consequently, organizing integrated care can quickly become overwhelming. Goals can be very broad, there are many partners involved, and the workforce is asked to make major changes in their current practices. Hence, organizing integrated can evoke a sense of boundlessness. As controversial as it may sounds, successful integrated care initiatives are often characterized by boundary setting. These boundaries are related to (1) the focus on specific goals and results, (2) the number of partners involved in the initiative, and (3) what is asked from the workforce to provide integrated care. Therefore, to achieve effective and sustainable integrated care initiatives, it is vital to raise awareness on embracing boundaries. During this reflexive workshop, participants will learn about boundlessness and boundaries when organizing integrated care in their own practices. Who should attend? This workshop concerns everyone involved in organizing integrated care on a micro, meso and macro level, as boundaries are important in every step of the way: from policy makers and organizational representatives to professionals and patient representatives. The workshop consists of four parts: 1.Theory (10 min): Based on a multiple case study on five integrated care projects, participants will be introduced to the theory about boundlessness and the importance of setting boundaries when organizing integrated care. 2.Practical tools (10 min): Participants are given practical tools to reduce boundlessness in their own practice, including the Goal-Effort-Network and the Valentijns’ Rainbow Model. 3.Reflection (30 min): Participants will be challenged to reflect on their own practices. Reflection cards will be used with questions including: What are the boundaries in your integrated initiative when it comes to: (a) the focus of the integrated care initiative; (b) the stakeholders involved; and (c) what is asked from the workforce in the integrated care initiative. Experienced participatory researchers will provide real-time feedback and support participants to formulate points of action to improve their practices. 4.Plenary discussion (10 min): The session will be ended with a plenary discussion of insights from this workshop and a wrap up of the take home messages. Engaging the audience: Participants receive cards with questions that challenges them to reflect on their own practices. During the workshop, there is time for both individual reflection and a plenary discussion to share new insights. Take home messages: The workshop leaders will summarize key points with an emphasis on action and application in practice. Moreover, all participants can take home their reflection cards, including the questions that will guide them in (future) projects to reflect on boundaries in integrated care.