Skip to main content

Table 1 Definitions and examples of types of integration of care

From: Integration of care for hypertension and diabetes: a scoping review assessing the evidence from systematic reviews and evaluating reporting

Type of Integration

Definition

Examples

Horizontal [38, 39]

Relates to strategies that link similar levels of care

Physicians join existing group practices or multiple groups merge

Vertical [38, 39]

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