Transforming Integrated Community Health and Social Care: Real-World Impact and Research Innovations

Background: This oral paper explores the lived experiences of individuals accessing and delivering integrated health and social care (IHSC) services in a regional area of Scotland. It responds to the need for people-centred care by examining how interpersonal connections, supportive relationships, and community engagement influence health and wellbeing [1,2]. Embedding people-centred principles into service design—such as inclusive pathways, digital tools for real-time decision-making, and staff wellbeing initiatives—has led to strategic changes within a Health and Social Care provider organisation. This paper aligns with Pillar 3 of the conference theme, advocating for empowered, informed, and supported individuals as active partners in their care.

 

Methods: An exploratory qualitative multi-case study was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020, involving 18 participants across 7 cases, including service users, informal carers, and IHSC staff. Data were collected through interviews and analysed using interpretive thematic analysis [3,4]. Stakeholder involvement was central, with participants co-producing insights and shaping the research direction. Ethical approval was obtained, and principles of relational care guided the study design.

 

Findings: Five key themes emerged around the importance of understanding and coping with changing health and wellbeing needs, fostering supportive relationships, connecting with communities, accessing and coordinating IHSC services, and promoting holistic care through collaborative working. Participants highlighted the importance of relational continuity, community-based support, and timely access to services. Positive interpersonal connections were shown to improve coping strategies, mental wellbeing, and engagement with care. Conversely, fragmented services and poor communication undermined trust and safety.

 

Discussion: The findings underscore the transformative potential of relational, co-produced care models. This research has informed local policy and practice, demonstrating how academic inquiry can drive real-world impact. Stakeholder voices, especially those with lived experience, were not only included but instrumental in shaping outcomes, fulfilling ethical and practical imperatives for meaningful involvement.

This work contributes to the global discourse on integrated care by offering a replicable model for engaging communities, fostering partnerships, and designing services that reflect the realities of those they serve.

________________________________________

References:

1.Henderson L, Bain H, Allan E, Kennedy C. Integrated health and social care in the community: A critical integrative review. Health Soc Care Community. 2020;00:1–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13179

2.Henderson L, Bain H, Allan E, Kennedy C. An exploratory multi-case study of health and wellbeing needs and relationships. Int J Integr Care. 2023;23(1):11. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7003

3.Braun V, Clarke V. Successful qualitative research. London: SAGE; 2013.

4.Nowell LS, Norris JM, White DE, Moules NJ. Thematic analysis: Trustworthiness criteria. Int J Qual Methods. 2017;16(1):1609406917733847.