Many individuals seek out care from various doctors to meet their healthcare needs. According to Health & Wellness Medical Center, “The problem with this is that there is generally no collaboration or communication among each of the health professionals providing care to the patient. Integrated health care is a relatively new term for many and is characterized by doctors and other professionals working together to better serve their patient. Through working together as a team, care can easily be coordinated which reduces confusion between treatments.
If you think that integrated healthcare systems can only be implemented for general physicians or other health specialties, you will be surprised to know that it extends out to long-term care settings, community-based health, psychological services, and social service sites as well. Let’s look at four main benefits that integrated healthcare systems provide.
1. Comprehensive Treatment Plans
When care is coordinated between so many varying specialties, it creates the perfect environment to develop comprehensive treatment plans. This could involve a general physician, mental health specialist, rehabilitative units, surgical centers, and many more. With the expertise and knowledge of all providers coming together, patients will receive care that is based off of other areas that may be a concern.
2. Enhanced Access to Services
When multiple practice fields come together to create an integrated healthcare system, it generates enhanced access to services. For example, the American Psychological Association recognizes that integrating mental and behavioral healthcare with primary care and other specialized services, a person is given access to services that would otherwise be overlooked. All members are recognized as vital components of the interdisciplinary healthcare team.
3. Lower Healthcare Expenditures
Current plans that most people rely on are filled with rising co-pays and an inadequate concern for long-term health maintenance. Insurance companies look for ways to save money versus ways to help lower the cost of care for patients. Nonprofit plans and integrated systems are often both the provider as well as the payer. This equates to less financial incentives to make more money through running additional tests or providing extra treatment. Furthermore, since specialists involved in integrated healthcare systems typically work on a salary schedule, there are no hidden agendas on their end.
4. Improvement in the Quality of Care
The New York Times went on a mission to see how patients feel about integrated healthcare systems. The overall consensus was that individuals appreciated the extra time and personalization that doctors were willing to provide. When health care plans are rated for quality and patient satisfaction, integrated systems had a generally higher satisfaction rating than typical solo practices. The basis of these systems is to keep individuals healthy through preventative care and chronic disease management.
While integrated healthcare systems tend to be more expensive than traditional solo operations, there are quite a few hospitals and physician groups that are jumping on the bandwagon to reap the benefits that come with such as organized system. The overall goal is to ensure that every patient receives the comprehensive care they need at the right time.
