title: "Virtual" health care organizations and the challenges of improving quality.
abstract: This article examines the challenges of improving health care quality continuously within and across "virtual" provider organizations such as independent practice associations and physician-hospital organizations. It draws on recent research and theory about interorganizational networks in other fields to develop recommendations for securing physicians' commitment to quality improvement strategies in today's health care environment.
authors.affiliation: Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006759:Hospital-Physician Joint Ventures / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007193:Independent Practice Associations / Q000592:standards; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D007858:Learning; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans; D020400:Provider-Sponsored Organizations / Q000592:standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States