Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC)  Symposium Report-Back

The Network for Integrated Care Excellence (NICE) hosted the first in-person symposium of the Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC) initiative in Calgary on October 18th, 2024. The gathering brought together members from 11 of the 13 funded Implementation Science Teams, representing researchers, people with lived experience, decision makers, and health system leaders, along with representatives from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Through presentations and group discussions, participants explored ways to strengthen collaboration and advance integrated care implementation research across Canada. This report shares key insights from these discussions and outlines NICE's initial plans to support learning and connection and to co-create a learning network. 

Background 
The Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC) initiative, funded by CIHR’s Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, supports teams implementing and evaluating integrated care across Canada. This work bridges healthcare with other sectors while promoting health equity and the Quadruple Aim (enhanced patient experience, improved population health, better healthcare provider experience, and value for money). 

The Network for Integrated Care Excellence (NICE) serves as THINC's Knowledge Mobilization and Impact Hub, connecting teams, decision makers, and community partners to advance integrated care implementation nationwide. 

Workshop Overview
The one-day symposium brought together THINC members to strengthen connections and explore ways of sharing learning across teams. The morning began with keynote presentations that explored integrated care in Scotland and Canada, highlighting the shift from traditional biomedical models to partnership-based care approaches. These discussions helped frame NICE's role in advancing integrated care implementation. 

The morning continued with Lightning Round presentations from 11 Implementation Science Teams, which provided a brief overview of the integrated care and implementation science research happening across the country. 

In the afternoon, participants engaged in facilitated roundtable discussions to explore approaches for building effective communities of practice within the network. These discussions drew on teams' experiences and expertise to consider how knowledge sharing and collaborative learning could best serve the network's diverse needs. The day concluded with reflections and closing remarks from CIHR representatives Drs. Rick Glazier and Meghan McMahon, along with NICE co-leads Walter Wodchis and Jodeme Goldhar. 

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What We Heard: Designing Inclusive Learning Communities and a High-Performing Network 

The afternoon discussions revealed a strong desire for meaningful, accessible, and action-oriented ways of working together. Participants emphasized the importance of building relationships while acknowledging the practical constraints of time and resources. Several key themes emerged from these discussions and are summarized below. 

Building an Inclusive Network
Participants emphasized that how we work together is as important as what we do. Throughout the discussions, several key principles emerged for creating truly inclusive participation: 

  • Provide multiple pathways for participation  
  • Create opportunities for meaningful engagement across all partner groups, and create opportunities for groups to co-lead and co-present 
  • Use clear, accessible language that facilitates belonging and reduces barriers to participation 
  • Recognize and address power dynamics through community ownership and leadership  
  • Adapt engagement approaches to align with community needs 

Designing for Connection and Impact 
Participants highlighted the importance of balancing structured activities with space for natural connection, recognizing that both are essential for building a strong network: 

  • Create both role-specific spaces (e.g., for people with lived experience, knowledge users, researchers, decision-makers, and project managers) as well as opportunities for integrated exchange 
  • Balance formal learning sessions with time for relationship building and informal networking 
  • Enable different types of connection (in-person, virtual, hybrid) to maximize participation and inclusion 
  • Allow teams and individuals to select engagement opportunities that align with their priorities 
  • Regularly assess who's participating, barriers to participation, and value to participants 

Effective Knowledge Sharing Approaches 
Participants shared insights and ideas for effective knowledge sharing across the network: 

  • Share implementation stories and lessons learned to highlight real-world solutions 
  • Create concise, accessible summaries of key developments across projects 
  • Create learning communities to connect teams with shared interests 
  • Develop targeted learning sessions to address common knowledge gaps 
  • Establish working groups for cross-cutting implementation challenges 

Sustainable Engagement Practices 
Participants discussed how to maintain meaningful engagement while being mindful of people's time and resources: 

  • Create predictable rhythms of connection while maintaining flexibility 
  • Set clear expectations for participation while respecting team capacity 
  • Balance structured learning activities with opportunities for informal connection and collaboration 
  • Regularly gather feedback to adjust and improve engagement approaches 

Network Learning Priorities 
Participants identified key areas for collective learning and action: 

  • Leadership approaches that support cross-sector collaboration and partnership 
  • Strategies for meaningful partnership with people with lived experience 
  • Approaches to working effectively with decision-makers and system leaders 
  • Methods for implementing and sustaining change in challenging environments 
  • Tools and resources for putting integrated care into practice 

Looking Ahead 
The discussions reflected a shared commitment to creating a truly integrated and impactful network. This work requires thoughtful balance - providing structure while allowing organic growth and keeping equity and meaningful engagement central to all we do. 

Building on these insights, NICE will launch several initiatives in 2025. To support role-specific knowledge sharing while enabling cross-team learning, we will establish Learning Communities for researchers, providers, policy makers, people with lived experience, and project staff. These communities will meet quarterly, creating regular touchpoints for collaboration while respecting participants' time. Additionally, we will begin a Learning Series focused on integrated care, equity, and implementation science, addressing the shared learning priorities identified by teams. Through these activities and ongoing communication channels, we will work with network members to develop and refine our approaches together. 

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Session Resources 

From the vertical and biomedical model to people as partners in care – Anne Hendry 

Integrated Care in Canada – Opportunities and Challenges – Walter Wodchis & Jodeme Goldhar 

Implementation Science Team Lightning Talks 
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