Evaluation by ACM: no more cold feet about effective cooperation in healthcare

Over the past two years, primary-care providers have become more active in launching collaborations. Anxiety surrounding such collaborations in primary care has gone down, and more room for collaborations has been created. Examples of primary-care providers are general practitioners (GPs), physical therapists, psychotherapists, and speech therapists. These are some of the conclusions drawn in an evaluation carried out by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) of the ‘basic principles for ACM’s oversight of primary-care providers’ (in Dutch: ‘uitgangspunten toezicht ACM op zorgaanbieders eerste lijn’). These basic principles were laid down two years ago, after care providers had criticized ACM’s oversight of health care. The main message of the basic principles from 2015 is that collaborations in the interest of patients will not lead to interventions by ACM.

Chris Fonteijn, Chairman of the Board of ACM, explains: “GPs in particular felt limited by ACM when it came to collaborations. That was one of the complaints listed in the manifest ‘Change the Course’ (in Dutch: ‘het roer moet om’). This evaluation has revealed that providers no longer have cold feet. Collaborations in the interest of patients are simply allowed.”

Healthy collaborations in health care

ACM’s evaluation has revealed that awareness of the basic principles could be improved. ACM has now adjusted its website. Trade organizations call for more information about the basic principles. If trade organizations came with practical examples, then such examples could be included in ACM’s educational efforts.

ACM has received few indications about potential harmful collaborations in the health care sector. In the future, ACM will continue to welcome any indications, and will also monitor on a regular basis whether any harmful collaborations exist.