The ILC Maine statement: Time for the fundamental care [r]evolution
Authors: Kitson Alison , Carr Devin , Feo Rebecca , Conroy Tiffany , Jeffs Lianne 
Published: February 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to present the third position statement from the International Learning Collaborative (ILC). The ILC is the foremost global organization dedicated to transforming fundamental care. Internationally, fundamental care is reported to be poorly delivered, delayed or missed, negatively impacting patients, their families/carers and healthcare staff and systems. Overcoming this global challenge requires profound transformation in how our healthcare systems value, deliver and evaluate fundamental care. This transformation will take both evolutionary and revolutionary guises. In this position statement, we argue how this [r]evolutionary transformation for fundamental care can and must be created within clinical practice.

Design

Position paper.

Methods

This position statement stems from the ILC's annual conference and Leadership Program held in Portland, Maine, USA, in June 2023. The statement draws on the discussions between participants and the authors' subsequent reflections and synthesis of these discussions and ideas. The conference and Leadership Program involved participants (n = 209) from 13 countries working primarily within clinical practice.

Results

The statement focuses on what must occur to transform how fundamental care is valued, prioritized and delivered within clinical practice settings globally. To ensure demonstrable change, the statement comprises four action‐oriented strategies that must be systematically owned by healthcare staff and leaders and embedded in our healthcare organizations and systems:

Address non‐nursing tasks: reclaim and protect time to provide high‐value fundamental care.

Accentuate the positive: change from deficit‐based to affirmative language when describing fundamental care.

Access evidence and assess impact: demonstrate transformation in fundamental care by generating relevant indicators and impact measures and rigorously synthesizing existing research.

Advocate for interprofessional collaboration: support high‐quality, transdisciplinary fundamental care delivery via strong nursing leadership.

Conclusion

The ILC Maine Statement calls for ongoing action – [r]evolution – from healthcare leaders and staff within clinical practice to prioritize fundamental care throughout healthcare systems globally.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

We outline four action‐oriented strategies that can be embedded within clinical practice to substantially transform how fundamental care is delivered.

Specific actions to support these strategies are outlined, providing healthcare leaders and staff a road map to continue the transformation of fundamental care within our healthcare systems.

Impact

Fundamental care affects everyone across their life course, regardless of care context, clinical condition, age and/or the presence of disability.

This position statement represents a call to action to healthcare leaders and staff working specifically in clinical practice, urging them to take up the leadership challenge of transforming how fundamental care is delivered and experience globally.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients, service users and caregivers were involved in the ILC annual conference, thus contributing to the discussions that shaped this position statement.

What Does this Paper Contribute to the Wider Global Clinical Community?

The strategies and actions outlined in this position statement are relevant to all clinical settings globally, providing practical strategies and actions that can be employed to enhance fundamental care for all patients and their families/carers.

By outlining the importance of both evolutionary and revolutionary change, we identify ways in which healthcare systems globally can begin making the necessary steps towards radical fundamental care transformation, regardless of where they are in the change journey.