Literature Review
Even a brief search for material on integration of health and social services shows that there is a wealth of material available. There are already a large number of websites devoted to guiding practitioners and researchers through this material, often from specific perspectives. A closer look at the material and research available, however, highlights the fact that there is a gap between models of can be done to make integration of services work better and evidence of which models work in specific contexts. This course aims to contribute to filling this evidence gap.
A literature review was carried out in preparation for this first course and has been added to, taking up suggestions made by course participants and tutors. Three sets of resources are highlighted here:
- A set of papers on integration, giving examples of the use of different models and approaches to quality improvement and the use of data in different settings;
- A reading list of research papers on learning organizations and knowledge management in health and social care settings; and,
- A guide to some of the many internet-based and other resources on methods, approaches and tools that may be of use in change management.
It is intended that the literature review will be a ‘living resource’ to be developed through the life of the course, in response to the needs of the course participants. In order to do this the development of the literature review will include:
- An introduction to the reading resources and the main themes and characteristics of the literature on quality improvement as part of the course;
- More individual help for participants in developing reading lists that are specific to their assignment and interests during as the assignments develop; and,
- Sharing of resources between course participants and contributors to further develop the literature review, that will be made available to all.