Social relations: interprofessional networks and influence on integrated care.

Several studies in recent years have demonstrated the relationship between the structure of interactions between people and the impact that this has on the achievement of goals. However, in the field of health systems this is an issue still to be studied. Chronic care programs in developed countries seek greater integration and communication between health professionals to improve health outcomes. But more empirical evidence is needed to assess the degree of integration and how the information influences those who are involved in these programs. This paper analyzes the way in which health workers interact at the primary and secondary care interface, based on integrated care design in a program of chronic care in New Zealand. The frequency, quality and perceived value of the ties between general practitioners, practices nurses, medical specialists and specialist nurses are used as explanatory variables in graphical models which take a social network analysis approach. The paper shows the configuration of the network between health professionals in an integrated care context, and explains the academic and policy implication of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]