Integration has become the new buzzword in the medical community today, due to the emphasis on initiatives such as population management and disease management which aim to improve the health of communities at large. The success of such programs mainly depends on the synchronous functioning of various specialists which can be achieved through a well-connected network of doctors. A stable, well-functioning network has a common platform that supports all levels of the healthcare delivery system. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay All members, therefore, operate within this unified framework, making it easier for them to coordinate and produce good results. On the other hand, a poorly conceived and poorly established network can easily ruin any health improvement endeavor due to ineffective communication and lack of adequate leadership. There is a list of pros and cons associated with a doctor network that should be kept in mind when joining such a facility or attempting to create one. Here are some examples: Benefits of a Network: Keep in mind: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay A network acts as an intermediary between its affiliated providers and insurance plans. Therefore, it helps providers understand and remain compliant with federal statute requirements such as star ratings, care management, and quality management. A network protects its suppliers from adverse business conditions or conditions and helps streamline processes such as contracting, claims management and utilization management. Working as part of a network can increase profitability for suppliers through reduced losses, to additional returns from ancillary tests, administrative costs, etc. and to better contracts. A network guarantees greater efficiency since any redundancies are nipped in the bud, therefore reducing the waste of resources and improving their use. Disadvantages of a Network: Since most networks carry out large-scale healthcare initiatives, any failure on their part causes a huge negative impact on the lives of many patients at once. Doctor networks are labor intensive. When working as a collective, it becomes easy to lose focus. Making decisions can also become a difficult task due to the multiplicity of points of view. Unifying such a diverse audience and making them work towards a common goal can prove to be a daunting task. The need for an elaborate infrastructure makes building a network an expensive affair. Lack of expertise on how a network should be managed is also an issue that most establishments grapple with. Ideally, for a network to produce high-quality results, it should be compact and focused. Narrowing your target population and implementing a few key health measures is a much better approach than chasing numbers. Taking steps to reduce supplier turnover is also essential to ensuring success. Aside from that, adaptability, innovation and a high focus on quality and compliance are characteristics of a sustainable doctor network.