Bridging the gap

Health and social care integration is a growing priority for many regions aiming to provide comprehensive, person-centred care that meets the needs of aging populations and people living with chronic conditions. Digital solutions play a vital role in facilitating this integration by enabling seamless communication, data sharing, and coordination among diverse care providers. This workshop will explore how 3 regions, Catalonia, Finland and Scotland, are harnessing technology to support the integration of health and social care. The workshop will draw on real-world examples to highlight their unique approaches, challenges faced and strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Each region has developed digital solutions tailored to their specific health and care landscapes, offering valuable insights into how diverse systems can achieve similar goals of streamlined integration. Catalonia has been at the forefront of implementing digital health through its Integrated Care Programme. The session will discuss how the region has developed centralised health information platforms that enable data sharing across health and social care providers, ensuring continuity of care. Catalonia's experience will illustrate the importance of fostering cross-sector partnerships and integrating primary and specialised care with community-based services through digital frameworks. Finland is known for its strong digital infrastructure and pioneering electronic health records (EHR). It’s Kanta Services platform, which connects citizens, healthcare professionals, and social services, will be examined as a case study for how digital records can support comprehensive, patient-centred care as well as secondary use of data. It will also cover the strategies Finland has employed to build public trust, ensure data security, and facilitate the adoption of digital tools across different care sectors, whilst creating economic growth opportunities for companies. Scotland will showcase how it has embraced technology to support the implementation of its Health and Social Care integration legislation since 2016. Scotland’s use of digital tools, such as telehealth and telecare, has enhanced communication and collaboration between care providers will be outlined as well as it’s approach to implementing person-centred technology solutions that empower citizens and their families while ensuring that providers have timely access to crucial data. Special attention will be given to the lessons learned from its efforts to manage change, train staff, and balance technology with human-centred care. The workshop will outline the successes of these regions as well as common barriers such as funding constraints, interoperability issues, and resistance to change. Participants will gain practical insights into the importance of aligning technology initiatives with policy frameworks and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration to create sustainable, scalable solutions. Attendees will engage in interactive discussions to reflect on the presented case studies and consider how similar strategies could be adapted to their local contexts. By examining the lessons learned from Catalonia, Finland, and Scotland, the workshop aims to equip participants with a deeper understanding of the critical role digital solutions play in integrating health and social care. The session will conclude with actionable recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers seeking to bridge the gaps between health and social care through effective digital solutions

Bridging (networking · Data sharing · Digital health · Health care · Integrated care · Multidisciplinary approach · Public health · Social care · System integration · Electronic Health Records Systems · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation