Integrated care as a scientific discipline: the need for more theory and new analytical methods

In reflecting on the papers presented to this years INIC conference in Tampere (the abstracts and presentations being available in this conference supplement) it is clear that we are reaching a watershed in the way researchers are beginning to think about integrated care as a scientific discipline, and the way health systems are beginning to properly embrace its principles. For example, the policy and practical papers presented at the conference, particularly impressive being those of our Finnish hosts, show that elements of integrated care for vulnerable groups such as the frail elderly or to those with long-term mental health problems have been around for many years. However, it seems that momentum is gathering and that integrated care as a term and principle for future health care delivery is moving from a backwater activity and into mainstream thinking.