How can we learn from changes in practice under COVID-19?

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen rapid changes in ways of working. We have seen an increase in collaboration, particularly through digital platforms, the sharing of data, and people describing ‘true system working’. So how do we capture innovations and changes in practice? How do we learn from them? How to we identify what should be continued and what should not? How do we sort promising, effective changes from those that are ineffective – or even potentially harmful? If we don’t think about how to do this systematically there is a risk that learning will be lost as pressures to ‘return to normal’ increase. This guide has been developed to help health and social care teams and their leaders learn from service changes put in place or accelerated during the COVID-19 response. The guide is not exhaustive. It offers an overview and practical, helpful suggestions of how learning can be captured and acted upon. It signposts to more detailed resources. The Strategy Unit is currently involved in a wide range of other initiatives to support the COVID-19 response and recovery including through our collaboration with leading think tanks. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.