INIC11 highlights implementation—Welcome note organizing committee

Our keynote addresses our main theme presenting three practical guides on integrated homecare (IHC) from the FP7-Homecare-project for patients suffering from stroke, Heart failure and COPD which together represent a fourth of the economic burden of disease and about every third deaths in the industrialized world. Our fourth keynote exemplifies good organization of integrated care by the German Kinzigtal-project. These themes are expanded in a number of other sessions and posters by other scientists demonstrating a good resonance in the scientific community. After INIC11 we may be close to the ‘critical mass’ of research required to expect a breakthrough in implementation! Effective collaborative care for depression and anxiety reported by a team from the Netherlands. Special sessions on Telerehabilitation and ‘Social Care Informatics’ present a series of good evidence and strategies on the use of tele-facilities within a framework where the collaborative integration of care—and not IT itself—is the main focus. A workshop on ‘Integrated oncology pathways’ is a joint Danish-Dutch venture. Also, we look forward to present a series of exciting virtual study trips to IC in San Marino (hosting INIC12), Germany, UK, Spain, Portugal, Finland and Italy. The Dutch contribution is as always impressive at INIC11. Participants from many countries may look forward to learn about the results from recent developments in the Dutch system of finance of integrated care to large groups with chronic conditions. Other sessions present specific projects funded by EU. These presentations are followed by a panel discussion on the finance of IC at the final part of INIC11. This year we have had a series of abstracts from projects with clearcut findings or experimental designs opted for poster presentation. The poster section comprises about 30 presentations. For more years experienced IC-scientists including Gus Schrijvers and Nick Goodwin have prepared a special initiative for PhD-students to improve the long-term competencies in the field of IC. We are proud to announce that INIC11 launches a special stream of sessions termed ‘IC-University for PhD-students’ with a focus on methodological issues. Also, we would like to draw your attention to the cultural richness of the town of Odense and the whole region of Funen if you have the opportunity to stay a few extra days. Finally—but not least—I would like to thank Guus, Clarine and Marianne for a wonderful collaboration during the practical preparation of INIC11 and Helmut, Albert, Silvina, Jeroen and Ilmo to complement us with the scientific program.