TY - JOUR
AU - H. C. Heek
AU - L. A. Nooteboom
AU - A. M. Barnhoorn-Bos
AU - Rrjm Vermeiren
AU - E. A. Mulder
A1 - 
AB - INTRODUCTION: Integrated care for families provides tailored, coordinated support across various life domains. It relies on partnerships between families, professionals, organisations, and policymakers, navigating diverse perspectives, cultures, and structures. These differences make partnerships complex and not a given. While much is known about partnerships, the dynamics between stakeholders in practice remains underexplored. Therefore, this study examines the dynamics of partnerships in the organisation and development of integrated care initiatives, identifying important aspects, facilitators and barriers. METHOD: This qualitative study explored partnership by following five integrated care teams over two years, through interviews (n = 54), observations of clinical case discussions (n = 40) and four learning sessions, incorporating perspectives of families, professionals, managers and local policymakers on partnership. RESULTS: Four aspects of partnership were identified: shared vision among stakeholders; roles and responsibilities; monitoring and evaluation; and funding. Facilitators included inclusive participation, transparent communication, and flexible approaches. Barriers were conflicting interests, undefined roles and leadership, and fragmented systems that may hinder collaboration. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: Balancing relational and organisational aspects of integrated care is complex yet essential to provide person-centred care. Continuous stakeholder involvement, along with evaluation and reflection, is crucial for fostering shared learning and ensuring the development and sustainability of partnerships within these initiatives.
AD - LUMC Curium - Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Post Box 15, 2300 AA Leiden, The Netherlands.; GGZ Rivierduinen Children and Youth, Institute for Mental Health Care, Postbox 405, 2300 AK Leiden, The Netherlands.; Research Institute Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Amsterdam UMC, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
AN - 41660050
BT - Int J Integr Care
C5 - Education & Workforce
CP - 1
DA - Jan-Mar
DO - 10.5334/ijic.9359
DP - NLM
ET - 20260206
IS - 1
JF - Int J Integr Care
LA - eng
N2 - INTRODUCTION: Integrated care for families provides tailored, coordinated support across various life domains. It relies on partnerships between families, professionals, organisations, and policymakers, navigating diverse perspectives, cultures, and structures. These differences make partnerships complex and not a given. While much is known about partnerships, the dynamics between stakeholders in practice remains underexplored. Therefore, this study examines the dynamics of partnerships in the organisation and development of integrated care initiatives, identifying important aspects, facilitators and barriers. METHOD: This qualitative study explored partnership by following five integrated care teams over two years, through interviews (n = 54), observations of clinical case discussions (n = 40) and four learning sessions, incorporating perspectives of families, professionals, managers and local policymakers on partnership. RESULTS: Four aspects of partnership were identified: shared vision among stakeholders; roles and responsibilities; monitoring and evaluation; and funding. Facilitators included inclusive participation, transparent communication, and flexible approaches. Barriers were conflicting interests, undefined roles and leadership, and fragmented systems that may hinder collaboration. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: Balancing relational and organisational aspects of integrated care is complex yet essential to provide person-centred care. Continuous stakeholder involvement, along with evaluation and reflection, is crucial for fostering shared learning and ensuring the development and sustainability of partnerships within these initiatives.
PY - 2026
SN - 1568-4156 (Print)
SP - 5
ST - A Balancing Act: Partnership Dynamics in Practice When Organising and Developing Integrated Care Initiatives
T1 - A Balancing Act: Partnership Dynamics in Practice When Organising and Developing Integrated Care Initiatives
T2 - Int J Integr Care
TI - A Balancing Act: Partnership Dynamics in Practice When Organising and Developing Integrated Care Initiatives
U1 - Education & Workforce
U3 - 10.5334/ijic.9359
VL - 26
VO - 1568-4156 (Print)
Y1 - 2026
ER -