The emphasis in healthcare is shifting to practical applications of me
dical knowledge for the provision of more cost-effective care. This re
quires greater linkages among clinical information systems across mult
iple organizations. This article describes new initiatives in disease
state management to link the traditionally separate data systems of ph
armaceutical, behavioral and general medical care. The potential for i
mproved patient care is highlighted. The author is an expert consultan
t for a large pharmaceutical manufacturer's disease state management i
nitiative, and has an extensive leadership background in many segments
of the behavioral healthcare industry.