From Agreement to Realization

Abstract

Gesundes Kinzigtal is a population-based integrated care approach in Germany that organises care across all health service sectors and indications. This chapter describes the development of an electronic networking system in the project between 2006 and 2013. The IT system that was developed shall supply physicians' offices and other providers such as ambulant nursing care services and hospitals with time saving services providing the complete relevant information of the patient. The status of IT systems in practices at the start of the project and steps to achieve a mutual IT system and intersectoral cooperation are described. Pros and cons for small or large IT companies as partners and patients concerns on data safety and confidentiality are discussed. The chapter closes with an outlook on expanding the project to further healthcare sectors and raises ideas for future studies on self tracking and mobile health data from APPs as well as community resources and voluntary networks to join electronic patient networks.