Value Net Integrator

Managing Chronic Conditions with the Help of Value Net Integrator and Shared Infrastructure eBusiness Models.
Susan Lambert School of Commerce, Flinders University of SA Commerce Research Paper Series No. 04-3 ISSN: 1441-3906

Abstract The literature suggests that chronic condition management (CCM) programs require a multidisciplinary, care-team approach and that implementation of such an approach represents a paradigm shift in primary care service delivery. Such a shift has significant resource implications for the GP and integral to the widespread uptake of care- team based CCM is information collection, storage and dissemination amongst the care-team members. This paper looks to ebusiness models for assistance in understanding the requirements of general practitioners (GPs) in providing multi-disciplinary team care to patients with chronic conditions. The role required of GPs in chronic condition management is compared to that of a value net integrator as described by Weill and Vitale in their book “Place to Space, migrating to ebusiness models” (2001). The essential characteristics of value net integrators are identified and compared to those of GPs providing multi-disciplinary team care to patients with chronic conditions. It is further suggested that a shared infrastructure, also identified by Weill and Vitale in the same publication, is required.

Introduction Growing evidence supports the notion that patients with chronic conditions cannot be effectively treated using the traditional, general practice, acute service model and that a new service model is required. There is some consensus in the literature that multidisciplinary, team based service model involving the general practitioner (GP) and other members of the primary health care value network (value net) is needed (Wagner, 2000, Veale, 2003, Fox et al, 1998, Berenson and Horvarth, 2003). Although there appears to be general recognition that the multi-disciplinary team based model serves patients... [continues]

Read full essay