Table 2.

Practice components employed by innovations

Continuity of care by the care team to prevent fragmentation among providers, duplication of effort, and waste of time and resources.

Coordination and integration of care among participating physicians and other caregivers to improve efficiency and avoid lapses of care.

A partnership relation between the physician and patient that ensures inclusion of patient interests in the care plan as chronicity unfolds.

Team care with shared responsibility and contributions from all participants, including the patient.

Rapid, easy contact between the patient and the care team to permit remote adjustment of treatment and prevent loss of control during an evolving disease process.

A care coordinator who may be a trained medical assistant or other nonprofessional care provider and who becomes responsible for regular contact with the patient and for coordination of care.

A knowledgeable patient who must become an effective team member and who also must carry out much of the treatment. Because chronic disease is a life‐changing event, the care team should ensure that the patient and family understand the disease and its consequences and how to adjust to them. Aiding the patient to develop coping skills is a part of care.