PHYSICIANS IN HEALTH-CARE MANAGEMENT .9. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS

Health care organizations must increasingly develop strategic alliance s with other groups and organizations. A variety of interorganizationa l relationships are possible: shared services, joint programs, umbrell a organizations, health agency networks and mergers. As governments tr y to control health care costs, physicians will play an important role in developing and implementing these alliances. They will be expected to advocate on behalf of patients and communities to ensure that thes e new organizational arrangements facilitate coordinated care.