The need for theory-based evaluation of care coordination initiatives: Considerations from the 2017 International Conference on Realist Research, Evaluation and Synthesis

Research in the field of care coordination faces the challenge of providing transferable explanatory insights regarding what principles and initiatives work in practice and why. Such insights are crucial in developing effective solutions for global disease burdens. Realist research approaches have demonstrated potential to deliver stronger theoretical contributions of evaluation studies across fields of research. These were discussed at the International Conference for Realist Research, Evaluation and Synthesis in Brisbane (from 24 to 26 October 2017). This paper provides an overview and reflection on the conference by four participants. It focuses on (1) topical debates and challenges for the application of realistic methodology in health services research, as presented at the conference and (2) implied opportunities and challenges for (realist) evaluation of care coordination initiatives. Based on the reflections, future realist evaluation on evaluating complex care coordination initiatives is recommended.