Driving forces behind integration: weigh your options

Collaborative relationships between hospitals and physicians can take many forms. Before you choose your strategy, consider the benefits and drawbacks of each. Many of America's hospitals and physicians are rushing to integrate their services through a variety of collaborative options. Their haste has been encouraged by many factors. Before hospitals and physicians react to the driving forces around them, they should carefully consider the pros and cons of four types of collaborative options: 1. management service organizations, 2. physician-hospital organizations, 3. practice acquisition models, 4. equity models.