Leading roles in integrated care: the Advanced Practice Nurse as innovation and integration agent

Abstract

Background: Integrated care demands leadership, collaboration, and innovation across all health and social care sectors. This workshop explores the strategic role of the Master Advanced Nursing Practitioner (ANP) as Innovation and integration agent. Using the CanMEDS framework, we will examine how ANPs contribute to innovation and integration of care, and how their competencies and skills are changing to cope with innovations (e.g. digital innovations) and developments (e.g. new forms of care organization) . The Dutch model of embedding ANPs in healthcare will be presented as a practical example of successful integration.   Audience; This session is intended for advanced nursing practitioners, educators, researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals involved in integrated care. Participants will be invited to reflect on the positioning of ANPs and share insights from their own contexts to foster cross-sectoral learning and development.   Approach: Duration: 60 minutes Introduction (10 min): Overview of the ANP’s role in integrated care, linked to CanMEDS and conference pillars. World Café (30 min): Participants will be divided into groups based on CanMEDS roles (e.g., Communicator, Collaborator, Leader (directing) practitioner (guiding the patientjourney)). Each group will explore tasks, behaviours, and sector-specific applications. Group Reflection (15 min): Sharing key insights and discussing opportunities and challenges for innovation and integration. Closing (5 min): Summary and presentation of the Dutch example of ANP integration in healthcare.   Outcomes: Participants will: Gain insight into the ANP’s role as a care pathway director. Identify concrete tasks and behaviours linked to CanMEDS roles. Explore sector-wide applications of ANP leadership in integrated care. Learn from the Dutch model of ANP integration and consider its relevance to their own context.