title: Six steps to successful network integration.
abstract: Some integrated delivery systems have not been successful for a number of reasons. Substantial expenses incurred when initially purchasing physician practices, higher than anticipated operating costs, and a lack of mechanisms whereby physicians can assume leadership roles all may contribute to network failure. As a result, participants in integration efforts are continually modifying their strategies. Implementation of six specific strategies can improve the odds that integrated delivery systems will be successful: placing physicians at risk, enabling physicians to assume leadership roles and be involved in governance, strategically incorporating specialty care, managing group practices as ambulatory care businesses, building a competitive system, and continually redefining the system's strategic focus.
authors.affiliation: Davis Wright Termaine, Charlotte, NC, USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Korenchuk
mesh_terms: D002204:Capitation Fee; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D004470:Economics, Medical; D006123:Group Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D007857:Leadership; D008511:Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D017146:Models, Organizational; D008486:Physician Executives; D010934:Planning Techniques; D013038:Specialization; D018511:Systems Integration; D014481:United States