Table 1 Key elements of the Rainbow integrated Model of Care (RMIC) and the eHealth enhanced chronic care model (eCCM)
Concept | Key elements | Example |
|---|---|---|
RMIC [23] | Clinical integration: Refers to the coordination of person-focused care in a single process across time, place and discipline | The care model supports seamless individual care planning, individual case management, etc. |
Professional integration: Inter-professional partnerships and coordination of services across multiple disciplines | The care model supports multi-disciplinary care within and between the organizations (i.e., general physician and community nurse) | |
Organizational integration: Inter-organizational coordination of services across multiple organization (e.g., contracting strategic alliances, knowledge networks, mergers), including common governance mechanisms to deliver comprehensive services to a defined population | The care model is supported by organizational integration such as coordination of services between long term care and primary health care | |
System integration: A horizontal and vertical alignment of rules and policies within a system | The care model is within a structured integrated care model network such as the Veterans Health Administration [26] | |
Functional integration: Refers to how the key support functions (i.e., financial, back office, and Information management system) are coordinated | The care model is situated in an integrated network where financial, information, and management system are coordinated (i.e., federal funding allotted in the network) | |
Normative integration: Refers to the maintenance of coherent and shared mission, vision, and culture between disciplines, external stakeholders, and organizations. | The care model is placed in an integrated network where a mutual aim/vision is shared across stakeholders (i.e., reduce wait time) | |
eCCM [17] | eCommunity resources: Refers to developing strategies that link with community organizations and virtual health-related eCommunities | Health-related social networks and virtual communities that facilitate care connections |
Health systems enhancements: Refers to the strategies in place to support patient engagements and self-management support | Web-based health platforms, mobile health that support quality improvement | |
Delivery system design enhancements: Refers to the systems in place to promote teamwork practice to deliver care efficiently | Electronic Health Records (EHRs), web-based health platforms that facilitate information sharing | |
Self-management support enhancements: Refers to the patients’ active role in managing their care | Health apps and online resources that support patients’ self-management skills | |
Clinical decision support enhancements: Refers to providers and health consumers’ access to evidence-based clinical guidelines, protocols, care standards, and self-management resources to make an informed decision | Online platforms, EHRs to virtually access protocols and guidelines | |
Clinical information systems enhancements: Refers to managing information systems (i.e., patient databases, patient portals/personal health records) to facilitate efficient care | mHealth apps and online platform to coordinate care and monitor patients’ health status |