Type of Integration | Definition | Examples |
---|---|---|
Relates to strategies that link similar levels of care | Physicians join existing group practices or multiple groups merge | |
Relates to strategies that link different levels of care | Various health care professionals, such as physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, collaborate with hospitals, universities/medical schools, health plans, etc. | |
Professional integration or integrated health services [38, 40] | Refers to the extent to which professionals coordinate services across various disciplines | Nurse practitioners work with dieticians to provide care for patients with diabetes |
Clinical integration [38] | Refers to the extent to which care services are coordinated | Maintaining an open communication channel by having dieticians send a consultation report to the family physician after appointment with their patient |