In Ireland, as in many healthcare systems, health policy has committed to delivering an integrated model of care to address the increasing burden of chronic disease. Integrated care is an approach to healthcare systems delivery that aims to minimise fragmentation of patient services and improve care continuity. To this end, how best to integrate primary and secondary care is a challenge. This paper aims to undertake a scoping review of empirical work on the integration of primary and secondary care in relation to chronic disease management. A search was conducted of ‘PubMed’, ‘Cochrane Library’ and ‘Google Scholar’ for papers published between 2009–2019 using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for conducing scoping reviews. Twenty-two studies were included. These reported research from a wide range of healthcare systems (most commonly UK, Australia, the Netherlands), adopted a range of methodologies (most commonly randomised/non-randomised controlled trials, case studies, qualitative studies) and among patients with a range of chronic conditions (most commonly diabetes, COPD, Parkinson’s disease). No studies reported on interventions to address the needs of whole populations. Interventions to enhance integration included multidisciplinary teams, education of healthcare professionals, and e-health interventions. Among the effectiveness measures reported were improved disease specific outcomes, and cost effectiveness. With healthcare systems increasingly recognising that integrated approaches to patient care can enhance chronic disease management, considerable literature now informs how this can be done. However, most of the research published has focussed on specific diseases and their clinical outcomes. Future research should focus on how such approaches may improve health outcomes for populations as a whole.

Co-design has been identified as a participatory method to create person-centred integrated healthcare services that align with older people’s values and lived experiences. Existing guidelines on conducting co-design primarily focus on in-person methods with limited guidance on using digital methods to collect data. This gap in knowledge is particularly pertinent when co-designing with older people who can experience challenges with digital literacy and accessibility. This article uses the exemplar of a pilot site within a European co-design research project, aiming to create digital health technology to support integrated care, to describe the steps and considerations required when collaborating with older people in an online environment. Focus groups and one-to-one interviews were conducted utilising digital mediums of teleconferencing and telephone calls to engage and collaborate with older people. Several preparatory steps are required to effectively bridge the digital divide and conduct co-design with older people including engaging gatekeepers, relationship and trust-building, assessing digital literacy levels, education and providing technological support. This article highlights the steps and considerations that researchers should be aware of when embarking on co-designing with older people in a digital setting. The authors describe their methods that promotes inclusivity and the empowerment of older people as equal collaborators in the research process. The co-design approach and recommendations can be applied to various research settings and wider areas of integrated care with this population.

Study Design. Retrospective study of the management of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of post-traumatic syringomyelia (PTS) in a regional spinal injuries unit. Objectives. To investigate the incidence of PTS in a regional spinal injuries unit, and to assess mode of presentation, management, and subsequent outcome. Summary of Background Data. Majority of patients male, mean age 44 years (range 33–60 years), with thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). Most PTS developed within 5 years after injury (range 6 months to 25 years) and presented with reduced sensation. Fifty percent had surgical intervention at the time of SCI, and 50% managed conservatively. Four patients had additional spinal injury pathology not corrected at time of surgery. Methods. Retrospective analysis of the case notes of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PTS (n = 16). Demographic details obtained and details of the original injury and subsequent clinical course and management noted. Results. Incidence of PTS = 0.02%. Magnetic resonance imaging scanning performed in 56% with PTS. The majority of PTS developed around the site of the original lesion. The most common method of management was insertion of a syringoperitoneal shunt (44%). Thirty-one percent improved after surgery, 31% remain stable. One patient died. The symptoms of 3 patients continue to deteriorate slowly despite surgical intervention. Conclusions. Incidence of PTS are lower in our study than that quoted in the literature. Benefits of initial surgical management of SCI in reducing development of PTS are unclear. Benefits of surgical management of PTS are unclear. Additional studies are required as this may influence future management of spinal cord injured patients.

Background: Digital technologies such as mobile apps and robotics have the potential to involve stroke patients better in the care process and to promote self-management. However, barriers exist that constrain the adoption and acceptance of technology in clinical practice. Examples of barriers are privacy concerns, challenges regarding usability, and the perception that there is no need for health-related technology. To address these barriers, co-design can be used to enable patients to reflect on their experiences of a service and to tailor digital technologies to the needs and preferences of end users regarding content and usability. Objective: This study aims to explore the perspectives of stroke patients toward how digital health technology could support self-management regarding health and well-being, as well as integrated stroke care. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to understand patient perspectives. Data were collected in co-design sessions during the ValueCare study. Patients from a Dutch hospital who experienced an ischemic stroke (n=36) within the past 18 months were invited to participate. Data collection took place between December 2020 and April 2021 via one-to-one telephone interviews. A short self-report questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographics, disease-specific information, and technology use. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The interview data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Results: Patients held mixed attitudes toward digital health technologies. Some patients viewed digital technology as a convenient product or service, while others expressed no desire or need to use technology for self-management or care. Digital features suggested by stroke patients included (1) information about the causes of stroke, medication, prognosis, and follow-up care; (2) an online library with information regarding stroke-related health and care issues; (3) a personal health record by which patients can retrieve and manage their own health information; and (4) online rehabilitation support to empower patients to exercise at home. Regarding the user interface of future digital health technology, patients emphasized the need for easy-to-use and simple designs. Conclusions: Stroke patients mentioned credible health information, an online library with stroke-related health and care information, a personal health record, and online rehabilitation support as the main features to include in future digital health technologies. We recommend that developers and designers of digital health for stroke care listen to the “voice of the stroke patients” regarding both functionality and the characteristics of the interface. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12877-022-03333-8

Background Complexity theory has been chosen by many authors as a suitable lens through which to examine health and social care. Despite its potential value, many empirical investigations apply the theory in a tokenistic manner without engaging with its underlying concepts and underpinnings. Objectives The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise the literature on empirical studies that have centred on the application of complexity theory to understand health and social care provision. Methods This scoping review considered primary research using complexity theory-informed approaches, published in English between 2012 and 2021. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, PSYCHINFO, the NHS Economic Evaluation Database, and the Health Economic Evaluations Database were searched. In addition, a manual search of the reference lists of relevant articles was conducted. Data extraction was conducted using Covidence software and a data extraction form was created to produce a descriptive summary of the results, addressing the objectives and research question. The review used the revised Arksey and O’Malley framework and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Results 2021 studies were initially identified with a total of 61 articles included for extraction. Complexity theory in health and social care research is poorly defined and described and was most commonly applied as a theoretical and analytical framework. The full breadth of the health and social care continuum was not represented in the identified articles, with the majority being healthcare focused. Discussion Complexity theory is being increasingly embraced in health and care research. The heterogeneity of the literature regarding the application of complexity theory made synthesis challenging. However, this scoping review has synthesised the most recent evidence and contributes to translational systems research by providing guidance for future studies. Conclusion The study of complex health and care systems necessitates methods of interpreting dynamic prcesses which requires qualitative and longitudinal studies with abductive reasoning. The authors provide guidance on conducting complexity-informed primary research that seeks to promote rigor and transparency in the area. Registration The scoping review protocol was registered at Open Science Framework, and the review protocol was published at BMJ Open (https://bit.ly/3Ex1Inu).