Editorial

Citation

Thistlethwaite, P. (2011), "Editorial", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 19 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/jica.2011.55319caa.002

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Integrated Care, Volume 19, Issue 3

This issue of Journal of Integrated Care (JICA) is unusual, not just because of the sudden change of publisher. Almost all the content here could be described as academic, and the lead article is the longest we have published in the entire history of the journal, although mainly due to the important table and the extensive references. JICA’s editorial policy has always prioritised the publication of articles that can be read reasonably quickly, with messages readily absorbed by a range of different readers. Also, our intention is to make content of practical help to implementers at local level.

Do not be deceived by appearances! I wish to commend the entire issue to all our readers, and in particular the review of the terminology of integrated care by Walid El Ansari. What looks like a detailed academic piece contains challenges to the current underpinning ideas of policy and practice that will be recognised by anyone in the field of integrated care. Take “continuity of care” as an example. This is unpacked as a concept in the paper, revealing eight possible ways of interpreting the phrase: it highlights the risk that we can be “divided by a common language” and asks us to beware of what is often jokingly referred to as “terminological inexactitude”. In so doing, the author is carefully reminding us of the cultural as well as the linguistic barriers that are faced in everyday co-operative work.

The paper will consequently not only repay careful consideration: it opens up the possibility of further debate on the issues and argument presented. I openly and cordially invite responses of any type, to which JICA will extend priority for publication. Any reader who wishes to propose ideas for the analytical framework which Professor Walid El Ansari recommends is encouraged to make contact: this is something we would like to take forward in some depth over the next couple of years. Our editorial board has already looked positively at the question of whether a Wikipedia-style glossary of terms might be promoted.

Two other articles in this issue offer academic analyses of aspects of everyday practice which have considerable potential for application. Paul Williams explores the “boundary spanner”, that is to say those roles which lubricate interagency working. He identifies their nature and also the competences needed to succeed in them. He thus provides a benchmark for people trying to enhance collaboration in their localities. Jo Ellins and Jon Glasby have contributed ideas about how to approach joint strategic needs assessments, upon which some of the success of new government’s policies might depend (i.e. a shared agenda for local authority and GP commissioners). Their article is based on survey data which is applied to the government’s current requirement of local people to integrate health and social care more convincingly. They note that hitherto JSNAs have failed to provide the basis for this.

Farewell to John Dow

Finally, on behalf of that small group of people who were involved at the inception of this journal, and of those who have supported it over many years as editorial board members and readers, I give a fond and, I have to say, reluctant farewell to John Dow, who has written our legal column for many years. This column was John Dow’s idea, and it has proved to be a distinctive part of our journal. I wish John Dow well as his career develops in new directions. We are hoping to secure the services of another legal writer for future issues.

Peter Thistlethwaite