How does a Network Platform Work for Participating Actors Towards Integrated Care Governance? A Case Study of a Dutch...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Network Governance
• Integrated Care Systems

Background:

• Network platforms are crucial for addressing competition and tensions within integrated care networks.
• Understanding the functional dynamics of these platforms is essential for effective governance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the functions and utilization of a network platform within a Dutch hospital region.
• To explore how actors perceive and engage with the network platform in their professional practices.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was used in a Dutch urbanized hospital region.
• Data was collected through 17 interviews with hospital physicians, directors, and supporting staff involved in the BeterKeten (BK) network platform.

Main Results:

• Actors attribute diverse functions to BK, including facilitating professional learning communities, policy adaptation, enhancing influence, and extending governance capabilities.
• The dynamics of the network platform lead to evolving professional and managerial practices, network embedding, and alignment of conflicting platforms.

Conclusions:

• Network platforms offer a promising strategy for governing and nurturing integrated care networks, addressing their multi-level complexities.
• The BeterKeten platform demonstrates dynamic steering capacities, enabling multiple purposes and highlighting the need for further research into integrated care governance modalities.