Book 'Ketenzorg – Praktijk in Perspectief' published, edited by Kees Ahaus et al.

The care chain (ketenzorg) is all about optimum coordination and cooperation in care and welfare. Prof. Kees Ahaus of our Faculty is one of the editors of a book on this subject: Ketenzorg – Praktijk in Perspectief (The Care Chain – Practice in Perspective). The first copy was ceremoniously presented at a symposium where other authors and editors (Henk Rosendal, senior lecturer at Universiteit Leiden, Robbert Huisman, Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam and Coen Raad, lecturer at Hogeschool Leiden) also gave presentations.

A good thirty professionals involved in care chains have made contributions to Ketenzorg – Praktijk in Perspectief. Brought together in this book, their knowledge and experience provide good guidelines for the development of truly integrated care. Care professionals are becoming more and more specialized but their clients do not cut up their care needs into neat packages. Coordination among professionals is of the utmost importance. All parties in a care chain – functioning independently as well as in conjunction – cooperate closely because better coordinated care is more efficient and effective.

In his foreword to the book, Minister of Health Ab Klink says the following. ‘Integrated care, which includes care chains, is an important instrument in the silent revolution in care that is currently taking place since future care will in principle no longer revolve around professionals compartmentalized in primary and secondary care settings. We will then primarily focus on the care demands of patients’.

C.T.B. Ahaus is Professor of Quality Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business and works for TNO Management Consultants.