Case: Just as contention among provider groups can be unproductive, so can lack of cooperation between those providers and consumer advocacy organizations. It would be naive to think that there will be no competition. However, little good is done by allowing that competition to reach levels of excess. Nor would it be fair to indicate that there is no ongoing cooperation among provider entities at the present. There is. However, if the continuum of care is to even approach a state of seamlessness, there must be less bickering among provider groups and more collaborative effort.

Reference: Pratt, J. R. (2010). Long-term care: managing across the continuum (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

1. Why should long-term care providers become involved with integrated systems or networks? What are some of the possible types of involvement?

2. What is meant by a learning organization, and how can a manager move toward achieving such an organization?