n this unit you have learned about the many issues effecting the quality of healthcare in the U.S., including competition in the health care market segment. The number of mergers and acquisitions of health care entities are increasing.
For this assignment, you will create a visual representation to illustrate the impact of this integration.
- Create a visual representation using either Word, PowerPoint, or similar software.
- Illustrate your choice of integration (vertical or horizontal).
- Using notations, define the flow of the integration process (how two entities become one).
- On a separate page, using a numbered list, concisely summarize the integration process. Include how patients and providers are impacted by the integration.
- Include a minimum of two scholarly sources on a separate reference page; APA format should be followed throughout.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to incorporate real-world issues in the curriculum to help students keep abreast of the latest developments in the healthcare industry. One such issue is the increasing trend of mergers and acquisitions in the healthcare market segment, which has numerous impacts on both patients and providers. This assignment asks students to create a visual representation illustrating the impact of integration in the healthcare industry.
Answer:
The visual representation is a flowchart created in Microsoft PowerPoint. It illustrates the vertical integration between a hospital and a private medical practice. The integration process begins with the hospital purchasing the medical practice, allowing the hospital to expand its footprint and absorb the private practice’s patients and staff. The flowchart shows that the integration process involves several stages, including due diligence, valuation, negotiation, and finalization.
The flowchart is divided into three sections, each highlighting a different stage of the integration process. The first section illustrates the preparatory stages, such as negotiating terms, conducting a valuation, and obtaining regulatory approval. The second section shows how staff and resources are integrated, such as aligning clinical protocols, setting up shared electronic health records (EHRs), and hiring new staff. The third section indicates that the integration process ends with post-integration activities, such as monitoring performance, adjusting policies and procedures, and measuring outcomes.
Patients and providers are impacted by the integration in several ways. On the one hand, the integration provides patients with greater access to a wider range of services and healthcare professionals. On the other hand, it may result in reduced access to care for some patients, particularly those in rural or low-income areas. Additionally, the integration may result in healthcare providers being consolidated into larger organizations, thereby maintaining fewer options owing to competition reduction.
In conclusion, the integration of healthcare entities, such as hospitals and private practices, is on the rise, and medical college students need to be aware of its impact on the healthcare system. The visual representation creates a clear understanding of how integration happens and offers an opportunity to learn more about healthcare policies in the United States.
