The Relevance of Value Net Integrator and Shared Infrastructure Business Models in Managing Chronic Conditions

There is widespread support for chronic condition management (CCM) programs that require a multi-disciplinary, care-team approach. Implementation of such programs represents a paradigm shift in primary care service delivery and has significant resource implications for the general practice. 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. 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 is required.