Improving physician involvement in care management programs
Hill, L.L.; Fontanesi, J.
Journal of Medical Practice Management Mpm 24(1): 53-58
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 8755-0229 PMID: 18754258 Document Number: 616291
Care management delivered by interdisciplinary teams has been demonstrated to be a successful method for treating diseases such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure. Two models have emerged: (1) office-based programs, in which most services are delivered directly from the practice; and (2) insurer-run or purchased (external) programs delivered by third parties. Physician involvement and coordination of patient care with both programs is felt to be advantageous, yet physician involvement has been found to be sporadic. The issues surrounding physician noninvolvement have not been delineated, as the few studies conducted have tended to be descriptive, and they have not provided a model that could inform policy makers how to improve collaborative relationships. The purpose of this study was to construct such a model.