Abstract
1) Background: Integrated Care aims to address the diverse needs of individuals and communities by providing seamless, people and community-led services, but it often overlooks ecological and environmental sustainability. This workshop introduces participants to Doughnut Economics(1)—a framework that promotes thriving within ecological and social boundaries—and explores its application to Integrated Care. By aligning Doughnut Economics with the sextuple aim of healthcare which includes environmental sustainability) (2), the session provides an opportunity to explore an innovative perspective for redesigning care systems.
2) Workshop Objectives
This interactive workshop enables participants to step into the Doughnut framework and reflect on its relevance to their communities and systems. Participants will reflect on existing practices to identify critical challenges and opportunities for integrating ecological and social sustainability into health and care delivery.
3) Target audience: Integrated Care is most effective when it is shaped with people, not just for them. This workshop will be open to everyone’s unique perspective to explore these new concepts collaboratively.
3) Structure
- Introduction (10 minutes)
Facilitators provide an overview of Doughnut Economics and its relevance to Integrated Care. The discussion will highlight the sextuple aim, particularly emphasising the emerging sixth aim: environmental sustainability. Attendees will explore how achieving equitable, people- and community-centred care with continuity and coordination requires addressing ecological limits alongside people', providers', and systemic goals.
- Interactive Mapping Exercise (30 minutes)
Hands-on activity to explore their local healthcare contexts through the Four Lenses of Doughnut Economics. Participants will map their reflections and ideas collaboratively during this exercise about:
o Good Practices: Identifying initiatives aligning with the Doughnut framework.
o Challenges: Examining critical social and ecological gaps.
o Visionary Futures: Creating a vision about initiatives or policies that could transform care into a sustainable and just system.
- Discussion (15 minutes)
Groups will present key insights, followed by a facilitated discussion to identify recurring themes, shared challenges, and actionable opportunities. The plenary focuses on practical steps to align healthcare with the principles of Doughnut Economics and the sextuple aim.
- Closing (5 minutes)
Summary of the key themes discussed. The session will close with an invitation to continue exploring these ideas within their own work and communities.
4) Outcomes
Participants will leave with:
- A practical understanding of how Doughnut Economics can frame Integrated Care initiatives.
- Insights into systemic gaps and potential solutions that address the social and ecological dimensions of care.
This workshop will encourage participants to reimagine Integrated Care as a holistic, sustainable system that meets the needs of people and care teams while respecting the planetary boundaries, ensuring health and care thrive in a just and safe space for humanity.
5) References
1.Raworth K. A Doughnut for the Anthropocene: humanity’s compass in the 21st century. Lancet Planet Health. 2017 May 1;1(2):e48–9.
2.Alami H, Lehoux P, Miller FA, Shaw SE, Fortin JP. An urgent call for the environmental sustainability of health systems: A ‘sextuple aim’ to care for patients, costs, providers, population equity and the planet. Int J Health Plann Manage. 2023 Mar;38(2):289–95.