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There is an increasing motivation to implement pharmacist-led screening services in community pharmacies. This study aims to develop tools to support the pharmacist in the context of a diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk assessment service. Our development involved a multistep process using a user-centred approach, including a need assessment phase (14 patients, 17 pharmacists) and a creative design phase, followed by the evaluation of the materials (10 patients, 16 pharmacists). Three following themes covering educational needs emerged from stakeholders’ discussions: “content”, “layout”, and “form”, with three additional themes regarding the practical organisation: “software”, “awareness”, and “referral”. Based on the need assessment, tools for patient education purposes and awareness campaigns were created. During the development, special attention was paid to the writing style and structure with less text and more graphical colourful elements to suit patients with different health literacy and educational levels. The evaluation phase allowed researchers to observe participants engaging with the materials. Overall, participants were satisfied with the tools. The contents were considered valuable and relevant. However, adaptations were necessary to ensure their understanding and long-term usability. Finally, future research is required to evaluate the materials’ impact on patients’ behaviour towards their identified risk factors and ensure their effectiveness.

Study Objectives International guidelines recommend using benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) for maximally four weeks. Nevertheless, long-term use for chronic insomnia disorder remains a common practice. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of blended care for discontinuing long-term BZRA use in general practice. Methods A pragmatic cluster randomized controlled superiority trial compared blended care to usual care through urine toxicology screening. In the intervention, care by the general practitioner (GP) was complemented by an interactive e-learning program, based on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Adults using BZRA daily for minimally 6 months were eligible. Participants were clustered at the level of the GP surgery for allocation (1:1). Effectiveness was measured as the proportion of patients who had discontinued at one-year follow-up. Data analysis followed intention-to-treat principles. Results In total, 916 patients in 86 clusters, represented by 99 GPs, were randomized. Primary outcome data was obtained from 727 patients (79%). At one-year follow-up, 82 patients (18%) in blended care, compared to 91 patients (20%) in usual care, had discontinued. There was no statistically significant effect for the intervention (OR: 0.924; 95% CI: 0.60; 1.43). No adverse events were reported to the research team. Conclusions The findings did not support the superiority of blended care over usual care. Both strategies showed clinical effectiveness, with an average of 19% of patients having discontinued at one-year follow-up. Further research is important to study the effect of structurally implementing digital interventions in general practice. Clinical trial Big Bird trial; KCE-17016. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03937180).

International guidelines recommend using benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA) for maximally four weeks. Nevertheless, long-term use for chronic insomnia disorder remains a common practice. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of blended care for discontinuing long-term BZRA use in general practice.A pragmatic cluster randomized controlled superiority trial compared blended care to usual care through urine toxicology screening. In the intervention, care by the general practitioner (GP) was complemented by an interactive e-learning program, based on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Adults using BZRA daily for minimally six months were eligible. Participants were clustered at the level of the GP surgery for allocation (1:1). Effectiveness was measured as the proportion of patients who had discontinued at one-year follow-up. Data analysis followed intention-to-treat principles.In total, 916 patients in 86 clusters, represented by 99 GPs, were randomized. Primary outcome data was obtained from 727 patients (79%). At one-year follow-up, 82 patients (18%) in blended care, compared to 91 patients (20%) in usual care, had discontinued. There was no statistically significant effect for the intervention (OR: 0·924; 95% CI: 0·60, 1·43). No adverse events were reported to the research team.The findings did not support the superiority of blended care over usual care. Both strategies showed clinical effectiveness, with an average of 19% of patients having discontinued at one-year follow-up. Further research is important to study the effect of structurally implementing digital interventions in general practice.

Introduction Our aging population and changes in societal behaviour are resulting in a steady increase in chronic diseases, that could be partially addressed by applying new strategies of disease prevention and early detection. Care-Test is a pilot project that offers a diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk evaluation and participative education services to Brussels residents at community pharmacies. We aim to identify the stakeholders’ needs and the factors for a successful implementation in order to develop tools and recommendations for adequate patient-education, enhancing the patient empowerment and collaborative practices amongst patients and pharmacists in the context of the evaluation programme. Methods A mixed method consisting of focus-groups and telephone interviews was used to gather the input of pharmacists and patients within Brussels Capital Region. Interviews and focus-groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results 17 pharmacists and 13 patients were interviewed between February and May 2020. Pharmacists shared that the most important factors for a successful implementation would be the personal motivation of the pharmacists, campaigns to increase the visibility of the programme and electronic tools to facilitate the organization within the pharmacies. The key factors for patient’s adoption of the programme would be their own perceived risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease and a high accessibility assured by a quick and free-of-charge service. However, pharmacists raised concerns about time and manpower constraints while patients shared concerns about privacy and data confidentiality. Many ideas on materials for patients with low health-literacy were also provided to ensure the efficiency of the counselling. A combination of visually attractive tools should be considered to fit the various patients’ profiles and languages. Discussion Pharmacists role is evolving along with the ever-changing healthcaresystem, resulting in the need for an enhanced role in prevention. Moreover, additional training in patient education and motivational techniques and tools could help pharmacists in their new role of providing tailored lifestyle advices for risks factors management, which improves patient empowerment and self-management. Conclusion This study outlines factors that may influence engagement and participation in a diabetes and cardiovascular risk evaluation programme in community pharmacy. The results were used to develop a set of tools to raise awareness and enable adequate patient-education, and a partnership relation between patients and pharmacists within the programme. Lessons learned Several profiles of pharmacists and patients exist, and different types of tools should be developed to fit each individual preference. The pharmacists’ and patients’ concerns should be taken into consideration by providing strategies such as service-by-appointment and reassurance about data confidentiality to guarantee a successful implementation. Limitations Only pharmacists and patients were interviewed in this study. Additional research on general practitioners’ perceptions and needs would be of added value for future analysis. Suggestions for future research A pilot implementation study is being conducted in parallel with the risk evaluation programme to assess the pharmacists’ and patients’ experience and refine the patient education tools. However, inclusion of all the primary care givers could be beneficial in order to achieve goal-oriented care.

In 2014, a group of undocumented migrants started a hunger strike in Brussels. The medical monitoring was mainly done by young, committed health professionals with no prior experience of medical monitoring of people on hunger strike. Following the hunger strike, two focus groups were organized to assess the experiences of the health professionals during the medical monitoring of the hunger strike. Their main motivation for assisting was wanting to help the people on hunger strike but they were also curious about the living conditions among undocumented migrants and the reasons behind starting the strike. They were puzzled by the paradox of hunger strikers putting their life at risk in order to get a better life and obtain a residence permit. They felt conflicted about their own role as a caregiver: they did not know how to deal with patients who did not comply with medical advice, they struggled to build a relationship of mutual trust and feared that they would end up being instrumentalized by the hunger strikers or their environment. Afterwards, some of the health professionals were deeply touched by the experience and there were reports of symptoms of secondary traumatic stress such as re-experiencing and avoidance. During the focus group's discussions, the respondents made suggestions on how to improve the medical monitoring in the event of any future hunger strikes.

The implementation of a new service is often challenging when translating research findings into routine clinical practices. This paper presents the results of the implementation study of a pilot project for a diabetes and cardiovascular diseases risk-assessment service in Belgian community pharmacies. To evaluate the implementation of the service, a mixed method was used that follows the RE-AIM framework. During the testing stage, 37 pharmacies participated, including five that dropped out due to a lack of time or COVID-19-related temporary obligations. Overall, 502 patients participated, of which 376 (74.9%) were eligible for according-to-protocol analysis. Of these, 80 patients (21.3%) were identified as being at high risk for the targeted diseases, and 100 (26.6%) were referred to general practice for further investigation. We presented the limited effectiveness and the key elements influencing optimal implementation. Additional strategies, such as interprofessional workshops, a data-sharing platform, and communication campaigns, should be considered to spread awareness of the new role of pharmacists. Such strategies could also promote collaboration with general practitioners to ensure the follow-up of patients at high risk. Overall, this service was considered easy to perform and feasible in practice but would require financial and external support to ensure its effectiveness, sustainability, and larger-scale implementation.

Context. Although conversations about future medical treatment and end-of-life care are considered to be important, ethnic minorities are much less engaged in advance care planning (ACP). Objectives. To explore ACP knowledge, experiences, views, facilitators, and barriers among older adults of Turkish origin in Belgium. Methods. This qualitative study was based on constant comparative analysis of semistructured interview content. Participants were 33 older adults (aged 65-84 years; mean, 71.7 years; median, 74.5 years) of Turkish origin living in Belgium. Results. Despite unfamiliarity with the term ACP in this sample, several participants had engaged in some ACP behaviors. Respondents considered ACP to be useful and were ready to engage in conversations about it. The most commonly mentioned facilitator was the provision of tailored information about ACP. Other facilitators included concerns about future care needs, increasing awareness among respondents' children about the advantages of ACP, and respondents' desire to avoid "burdening"their children. The most commonly mentioned barrier was respondents' lack of knowledge about ACP. Other barriers were language issues, a lack of urgency about ACP discussion, reliance on familial support, and older adults' fear of triggering negative emotions in themselves and their children. Conclusions. The provision of tailored information about ACP to older adults of Turkish origin in Belgium and the promotion of awareness about the importance of ACP among their children (when patients desire), as well as the use of professional interpreters, could facilitate ACP engagement in this population. (C) 2020 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Groningen Institute Model for Management in Care Services aims to prepare medical students for their complex tasks as family physicians, based on the CanMEDS framework. Although initially developed for pharmacy students, the present paper reports on the eight-year experience with GIMMICS for family physician students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The Groningen Institute Model for Management in Care Services is a training game that simulates real-life situations in a structured and supervised setting. It offers students the possibility to practice clinical, practical, and communicational skills. Students install and manage their group practices, hold consultations with simulated patients, participate in several assignments and collaborate with pharmacy students. Feedback sessions showed that the training game is well-received by the students. A self-assessment questionnaire comprised of 23 questions on significant aspects of the seven CanMEDS roles showed significantly higher scores at the end of the game for 17 questions (p GIMMICS is a valuable linking pin between the different learning methods in medical education and clinical practice, helping students to improve themselves in the CanMEDS roles. However, simulation-based medical education requires significant time and resource investment.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the living conditions of undocumented migrant workers in Belgium have deteriorated drastically. In Brussels, after various social actions, undocumented people began squatting and occupying public buildings to make their struggle visible to society. Desperate, some seized the possibility of a loophole in Belgian law that permits ill persons to have access to a temporary residence permit and started hunger striking. Confronted with consecutive strikes, medical teams of voluntary health professionals faced a big dilemma. A search of the medical literature yielded information about the overall and specific tasks of health professionals during hunger strikes in custodial and hospital settings, but no scientific guidelines were found to address the specific problems the team was confronted with. Information was collected about 15 hunger strikes over a period of seven years, involving the participation of 1,158 strikers. This article describes the medical, organizational, and ethical difficulties encountered in the follow-up of hunger strikes in non-custodial settings, including those associated with the establishment of a health-care structure, operation with very limited resources, and communication with the media and other health professionals.

Introduction. Traditionally, the body mass index (BMI) is used to describe anthropometric measurements and to assess weight-related health risks. However, the abdominal circumference (AC) might also be a valuable parameter to estimate this risk. This study aims to describe an association between the BMI and the AC. Material and Methods. Participants were recruited during the Brussels Food Fair in 2014. They completed a questionnaire with their medical history, and health related parameters such as blood pressure, weight, height and AC were measured. Results. In total, 705 participants were analyzed. Men had a mean BMI of 27.3 kg/m2 and a mean AC of 98.7 cm. Women had a mean BMI of 26.0 kg/m2 and a mean AC of 88.2 cm. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the BMI and the AC was 0.91 for men and 0.88 for women. There was a strong positive correlation between the BMI and the AC. In the identification of patients at high risk for weight-related diseases, the use of the AC identified more patients than the BMI. Especially more women were ranking in a higher risk class with the AC than with the BMI classification. Both the BMI as well as the AC identified most diseases with an increased relative risk. Conclusion. There is a strong correlation between the BMI and the AC. There are too few arguments to prefer the use of AC above the BMI to detect people at high risk for weight-related diseases.

Introduction Problematic benzodiazepine use is a global health issue. Although the adverse side effects of long-term use of benzodiazepines are well known, it remains difficult to implement interventions for discontinuation in primary care. Considering the success of blended care for the treatment of sleeping disorders and the support of substance use disorders, evidence suggests that a blended care approach, combining face-to-face consultations with the general practitioner with web-based self-learning by the patient, is beneficial for the discontinuation of chronic benzodiazepine use for primary insomnia in general practice. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of such an approach for the discontinuation of benzodiazepine and zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon drugs ((z-)BZD) use in the long term and evaluate the implementation process. Methods and analysis This study is a multicentre, pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial with 1200 patients, included by 120 general practitioners. Allocation to usual or blended care happens at the level of the general practice in a 1:1 ratio using a block randomisation system stratified per language. The study population consists of adult primary care patients who have been using (z-)BZD for primary insomnia on a daily basis for at least 6 months. Primary outcome measure is the proportion of patients that discontinued (z-)BZD at 12 months assessed by toxicological screening for (z-)BZD in urine. Secondary outcomes include discontinuation of (z-)BZD at 6 months, quality of life and the number of defined daily doses of (z-)BZD prescribed. Data will be collected using a study-specific online platform and analysed using the intention-to-treat approach. The process of implementing blended care will be evaluated in a nested study. Ethics and dissemination This trial was approved by the Ethics Committee for Research of UZ/KU Leuven (ref. S61194). Study results will be disseminated via open-access, peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Trial registration number NCT03937180., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background In 2014, in Brussels, a group of undocumented migrant workers started a hunger strike. A loophole in Belgian migration law allows very sick people to stay in the country to recuperate. Undocumented migrants jeopardize their health to be able to obtain a temporary permit and a way out of misery. The monitoring of the hunger strike was done by young, committed but inexperienced health professionals.Methods At the end of the hunger strike, two focus groups were held to find out the dilemmas confronting the health professionals.Results Eighteen out of 29 health professionals participated. They mentioned their curiosity to gain new insights into living conditions among undocumented people and the reasons why they started the strike. They were puzzled by the paradox of wanting to die to get a better life and refusing medical advice. They wondered about their role and commitment as a caregiver. Some were deeply touched by the experience and reacted emotionally while others deepened their engagement. Symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress, such as re-experiencing and avoidance were observed. The participants themselves also proposed improvements to the monitoring. Conclusions Even though only a small number of health professionals were questioned, we detected a lot of preoccupations and contradictions in their reactions. To be able to process these a close follow-up and evaluation of the monitoring of a hunger strike is mandatory. We also propose that prevention, early detection and treatment of Secondary Traumatic Stress should become part of formal medical education.

Background To examine how the knowledge transfer processes unfolded within SCIROCCO, a EU funded project (3rd Health Programme (2014–2020)) that aimed to facilitate the process of knowledge sharing across five European regions, to speed up adoption and scaling-up of integrated care initiatives. Methods A qualitative multi-method design was used. Data collection methods included focus groups, project documents and action plans of the regions. The data was analysed using a qualitative content-analysis procedure, which was guided by the frameworks of knowledge exchange and the why, whose, what, how framework for knowledge mobilisers. Results All five components (including the themes) of knowledge exchange could be identified in the approach developed on the knowledge transfer processes. The four questions and accompanying categories of the framework of knowledge mobilisation were also identified to a large degree. Conclusions The observed incorporation of distinct forms of knowledge from multiple sources and the observed dynamic and fluid knowledge transfer processes both suggest that SCIROCCO developed a comprehensive knowledge transfer approach aiming to enable the adoption and scaling-up of integrated care. Overall, the multi-method qualitative nature of this research has allowed some new and practical insights in the knowledge transfer activities on integrated care between several European regions. To obtain a clear understanding of the content of the knowledge transfer approaches, which could assist the operationalising of models to support the evaluation of knowledge transfer activities, it is strongly recommended that further research of this type should be conducted in other research settings.

Background To examine how the knowledge transfer processes unfolded within SCIROCCO, a EU funded project (3rd Health Programme (2014-2020)) that aimed to facilitate the process of knowledge sharing across five European regions, to speed up adoption and scaling-up of integrated care initiatives. Methods A qualitative multi-method design was used. Data collection methods included focus groups, project documents and action plans of the regions. The frameworks of knowledge exchange and knowledge mobilisation were used for data analyses. Results All five components (including the themes) of knowledge exchange could be identified in the approach developed on the knowledge transfer processes. The four questions and accompanying categories of the framework of knowledge mobilisation were also identified to a large degree. Conclusions The observed incorporation of distinct forms of knowledge from multiple sources and the observed dynamic and fluid knowledge transfer processes both suggest that SCIROCCO developed a comprehensive knowledge transfer approach aiming to enable the adoption and scaling-up of integrated care. Overall, the multi-method qualitative nature of this research has allowed some new and practical insights in the knowledge transfer activities on integrated care between several European regions. To obtain a clear understanding of the content of the knowledge transfer approaches, which could assist the operationalising of models to support the evaluation of knowledge transfer activities, it is strongly recommended that further research of this type should be conducted in other research settings.

Walk-in patients who do not require urgent treatment at an emergency department (ED) are a known and long-standing problem. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of walk-in patients visiting the ED over time. During four days in June 2012, all walk-in patients attending the ED of the University Hospital Brussels between 8 AM and 11 PM were recorded. A similar registration took place in the same ED in June 2001. Patients completed a questionnaire about their characteristics and the reason for the encounter. Data of both study periods were compared. The mean age of the patients attending the ED was significantly lower in 2001 (40.9 years) than in 2012 (43.9 years) (p=0,02). In 2001, 81% of the participants had Belgian nationality, but in 2012 this proportion increased to 90% (p=0.008). In 2001 as well as in 2012, 21% of the participants had a referral from their family physician (FP) (p=0.9). The proportion of patients that were aware that FP could also handle some emergencies increased from 17% in 2001 to 29% in 2012 (p=0.003). More patients had complaints that begun less than 24h before they attended the ED (48% in 2001 and 58% in 2012) (p=0.03). The walk-in patients at the ED are getting slightly older and are attending the ED faster after the onset of the complaints. More patients judge their complaints as urgent. However, more patients are getting aware that FP also could handle some emergencies.

Introduction: In Belgium, an effective preventive program for breast cancer exists but as in many countries to few women participates in the screening. This study aims to describe the factors that affect the participation in the national breast cancer screening program. Methods: The participants were aged between 50 and 69 years and were recruited during an exhibition at the Brussels Exhibition Centre. Medical history and health-related parameters of the participants were recorded. Results: In total, 350 women aged between 50 and 69 years participated. After adjustment for age and region, 81.5% of the participants had a mammography during the past 2 years. The multivariate analysis confirms the association between not having had a mammography and (a) having an older age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.25–0.87), (b) having diabetes (OR: 0.08–0.80), (c) having a family history of coronary heart disease (OR: 0.16–0.80), (d) not following a cholesterol diet or treatment (OR: 0.10–0.91) and (e) having a higher body mass index (OR: 0.39–0.97). Having had a mammogram was associated with adherence to cervical smear screening (OR: 2.74–11.21). Conclusions: Most of these associations are most likely related to socioeconomic status. However, the relationship with diabetes offers opportunities to increase the participation in breast cancer screening programs because these patients have regular contacts with their family physicians.

Despite the growing consensus on the benefits of initiating palliative care early in the disease trajectory, it remains unclear at what point palliative care needs emerge. This study investigates quality of life and unmet palliative care needs at three phases in the cancer trajectory, curative, life-prolonging and most advanced (prognosis

BACKGROUND: Belgian family physicians use several local and international sources for evidence-based medicine (EBM). AIM: This study aims to investigate the quality of these EBM sources according to the Belgian family physicians. METHODS: A sample of Belgian family physicians completed a digital survey on the quality of EBM sources. RESULTS: Respondents evaluated the quality of the information for the major part of the local and international EBM sources good to excellent. More than 50% of the respondents found in the major part of the sources an answer to the question. More than half of the respondents found the necessary information in less than 5 minutes in most of the sources. Younger participants self-evaluated their search skills better than older participants. CONCLUSION: The quality of most frequently used EBM sources in Belgium is evaluated as good and client-friendly. More than half of the respondents found an answer to their questions in most of the sources and this within 5 minutes.

Background: The Belgian government program “Integrated Care for better health” (www.integreo.be) aims at a Nation-wide Whole System Change in health and social care towards Integrated Care (IC), by means of geographically defined pilot projects. Each of the +/- 20 pilot projects will implement IC in a loco-regional area covering up to 150.000 inhabitants. The ultimate goal is to improve the ‘Triple Aim’ quality of care,equity and healthcare professional work life (‘TA2+’). Pilot projects will run for several years serving both as large-scale implementation projects and test cases. Successful projects will be upscaled to cover – ultimately - the entire Belgian territory. A scientific team was appointed for evaluation of the projects. A priority task for this team is to set up sustainable monitoring tools that can evaluate the projects in a longitudinal way. To evaluate the impact of Integreo on TA2+, both content (outcome indicators) and methods of data collection must be defined. However, the scale of the projects - both concerning the number of included persons and the duration of the project - is incompatible with the usual approach of data collection and analysis. Aim: To reflect with the target audience on the process and dynamics of selecting outcome indicators and data collection methods for such large-scale projects. Format: Interactive workshop with ‘teasing’ questions to the target audience combind with presentation of the lessons learned. This workshop follows Part I and – if necessary – both can be given in one workshop. Speakers on behalf of the research group: Elien Colman, Elias Van Deun, Jean Macq, Geert Goderis Target Audience: Researchers and professionals active in the field of IC and system change. Learnings: 1- On the indicator selection - Define their utility: the quantitative evaluation of the indicators alone will not allow to determine causal relationships, but must be part of a global analysis, including qualitative research methods and implementation evaluation. - Set goals: first define the indicator set by evaluating the added value for measuring the change objectives. - Find an equilibrium between ambition and feasibility. The impossibility to use usual data collection methods has a direct impact on the indicator selection itself. - Define transversal indicators first as a common base for all projects. Afterwards, add project-specific indicators in full co-creation. 2- On the research methodology - The methods of data collection must be routinely applicable and sustainable in the long running. - The collected data from hospitals, General Practice, Patient Reported Outcomes, etc., must also be as much as possible routinely collected and automatically merged with claims data at patient level. - Plan with a clear time line: -- Evolving technological, legal and practical issues determine the data collection possibilities -- Each new database adds complexity to an already complex project: therefore, start small, plan expansion at the appropriate moment. 3- On the co-creation process - It requires time and organization to involve all necessary actors, allowing them to review and process the data. - Moving from existing logics of intra-organisational data-analysis (e.g. in hospitals), towards inter-organisational data-analysis.

Background : The Belgian government program “Integrated Care for better health” www.integreo.be aims at a Nationwide Whole System Change in health and social care. This implies change in its structures, finances, processes and paradigms towards more Integrated Care IC. It concerns geographically defined pilot projects that should cover in ‘full implementation” more than 3.670.000 people, about one third of the total Belgian Population. Pilot projects are both large-scale implementation projects and test cases. Each pilot aims at changing the organization of their loco-regional area network covering up to 150.000 inhabitants towards more IC. Changes are directed at 14 components, structured at three levels: 1 the patient level e.g. case management; 2 the inter-professional collaboration level e.g. shared medical file; and 3 the inter-organizational collaboration at loco-regional level e.g. quality culture The ultimate goal is to improve the ‘Triple Aim’ quality of care, equity and the work life of healthcare providers ‘TA2+’. A scientific team was appointed to : design and implement an evaluation framework alongside the pilot-projects-in-development. function as a support mechanism to the pilot projects in assisting and accompanying them with their self-evaluation process. function as a support mechanism for the government agencies who induced and guide the change management program. Existing research on achieving sustainable change of loco-regional networks towards more IC and Triple Aim within a nation-wide program is scarce. Moreover, existing research is highly context specific. This need to be taken into account in the generalization process. Aim : To reflect with the target audience on the necessity of changing research paradigms towards theory driven appraisals when engaging into Whole System Change evaluation in healthcare. Format : Interactive workshop with both ‘teasing’ questions to the target audience and presentation of our lessons learned Speakers: Geert Goderis, Jean Macq, Nathan Charlier, Elien Colman. Target Audience : Researchers and professionals active in the field of IC and system change. Learnings : - System change towards IC cannot be conceived as a delineated intervention, but as a complex strategy or even a policy to innovate and implement long-lasting change. This complexity often manifests as shifting and unpredictable contexts, deep differences among perspectives, and even conflict among stakeholders. - Scientific evaluation is necessary and imposes a paradigm change for the involved scientists. ‘Laboratory like’ methodologies type ‘Randomized Controlled Trials’ are unfit and must be replaced by theory driven approaches, describing the processes and contextual factors leading to desired outcomes. - The evaluation should transcend the question ‘what works?’ towards questions on how, why, for whom and in what circumstances the program brings the desired outcomes, in order to allow upscaling of the program to a system change covering entire Belgian territory. - Scientists engage in a co-creative process producing new knowledge, in partnership with all other involved stakeholders like e.g. health professionals and government agents. This co-creation process disables the possibility to plan a fixed endpoint: the design is tribute to multiple issues that evolve over time. Meanwhile, the whole program serves as a leverage to create breakthroughs in these issues.

Efforts are underway in many European countries to channel efforts into creating improved integrated health and social care services. But most countries lack a strategic plan that is sustainable over time, and that reflects a comprehensive systems perspective. The Policy Guide on Integrated Care (PGIC) as presented in this paper resulted from experiences with the EU Project INTEGRATE and our own work with healthcare reform for patients with chronic conditions at the national and international level. This project is one of the largest EU funded projects on Integrated Care, conducted over a four-year period (2012–2016) and included partners from nine European countries. Project Integrate aimed to gain insights into the leadership, management and delivery of integrated care to support European care systems to respond to the challenges of ageing populations and the rise of people living with long-term conditions. The objective of this paper is to describe the PGIC as both a tool and a reasoning flow that aims at supporting policy makers at the national and international level with the development and implementation of integrated care. Any Policy Guide on Integrated should build upon three building blocks, being a mission, vision and a strategy that aim at capturing the large amount of factors that directly or indirectly influence the successful development of integrated care.

The early integration of specialist palliative care has been shown to benefit the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer. In order to explore whether other seriously ill people and people at even earlier phases would also benefit from early palliative care, we conducted 18 qualitative interviews with people having cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease, heart failure, or dementia at different phases of the illness trajectory about how they experienced care needs related to their disease from diagnosis onward. Respondents experienced needs within the different domains of palliative care at different stages of the illness and different illness types or duration of the illness. This study contributes to the understanding of primary care needs of patients for whom palliative care (not necessarily specialized palliative care) could be beneficial.