Abstract
The 24rd International Conference on Integrated Care (ICIC24) in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 22-24 April 2024 has an interesting overarching theme: ‘Taking the leap: making integrated care a reality for people and communities’. According to the conference website, the conference will bring together leaders, researchers, clinicians, managers, citizens, patients and caregivers from around the world who are engaged in the design and delivery of integrated health and social care. Integrated health and social care is a complex issue. Integrated care is fairly new and requires co-creation of all stakeholders, especially service users.
A conference can be defined as a large official meeting, at which people with the same work or interests come together to discuss their views. “A conference is not just an avenue for a scientist to present their research to the wider community, but it can be an important venue for brainstorming, networking and making vital connections that can lead to new initiatives, papers, and funding, in a way that virtual, online meetings cannot” (Oester et al. 2017, p. 5).
Etzion et al. (2022) mention the following four functions of conferences: intellectual development, career development, ancillary professional activities (e.g. face-to-face collaboration for any activity that builds on having a large mass of scholars co-located for a few days) and non-professional activities such as opportunities for socializing, sightseeing and such.
Important is the social impact: “Conferences constitute social spaces where researchers encounter other researchers, establish new contacts, maintain old contacts, hold exploratory talks, and initiate collaborations” (Hauss, 2020, p.1). Most of the social impact is achieved ‘between the lines’. At the ICIC conference this is planned during the opening reception on Monday, the diner on Tuesday and during the breaks.
However, most sessions are filled with one-way communication, sending messages from researchers and other speakers. That does not create circumstances where participants can interact, share knowledge and experiences, discuss relevant topics with each other or hold a much-needed dialogue on how to work together as mentioned in the overarching theme. The main part of the conference appears to take place outside the planned activities. The participatory approach is required also IN the conference itself.
From an integrated care perspective, the ICIC conference could mirror the way co-creation and knowledge sharing take place, such as during workshops, debates and workgroup sessions; we believe more is possible.
During this interactive workshop we will take the leap with the participants to experience the characteristics of a community of practice, through the use of a real-life client/patient/service user case study.
This workshop will provide knowledge and skills for all particpants of the conference through the application of Kaner's Diamond Particpaton Model in which the 'groan zone' is applied to promote creativity and innovation. Application if the model also provides the structure for the workshop. We ask participants to actively engage in networkng, sharing knowledge and working an a shared agenda. During the workshop participants will experience the inevitability of the 'groan zone' which is the main source of innovation for integrated care.