Table 1 Dimensions of practice according to the DMIC

Patient-family centered care

Care delivery tailored and adapted to the needs of patients and families and information about care exchanged between patients/families* and care providers.**

Delivery system

Continuum of care organized for patients and families: coordination mechanisms and procedures to optimize all services; agreements and arrangements to provide care from admission to the end of the care episode.

Performance management

Measurement and analysis of services provided in a care pathway, based on established performance objectives, use of standard indicators, financial performance, accident and incident reports, and feedback; takes into account evaluations done by patients and families.

Quality of care

Evidence-based interdisciplinary care provided in response to patient-family needs and preferences.

Result-focused learning

Culture of continuous improvement of outcomes; involves definition of collaboration objectives, identification of potential improvements to care, learning strategies and knowledge exchange, and incentives to encourage improvement.

Interprofessional teamwork

Interdisciplinary work with a patient-family group defined by professionals who collaborate within organized and integrated teams.

Roles and tasks

Clarification of the roles and responsibilities of all partners involved in the services; effective collaboration among them and tasks well coordinated.

Commitment

Individual professionals’ commitment to defined objectives, intention to contribute, and knowledge regarding the nature of working within a care continuum.

Transparent entrepreneurship

Innovation, experimentation, leadership in matters of performance, financial agreements among partners, and partner transparency.