Untangling the web: the need to clarify care co-ordinating models for people with chronic and complex conditions

In order to clarify the expanding care co-ordinating field and stimulate debate, a descriptive typology is developed suitable for a range of stakeholders and purposes.

The strategy for development of the typology involved a literature review of the most commonly used care coordinating models and the utilisation of select government publications that verified diverse ways of classifying care co-ordinating needs. A descriptive typology is proposed to better communicate similarities and differences.

The typology delineates similarities and differences among care co-ordinating models that stakeholders can use as a step towards determining the most effective model to meet the varied needs of individuals and populations.

Stakeholders can more informatively communicate about care co-ordinating models and their place in the service delivery system. The typology may be used in comparing the effectiveness of the models. A clearer understanding of the field is both timely and warranted.