The role of brokering in healthcare networks: what does it mean for reforms, practitioners and patients?

Well-integrated systems are required to deliver effective healthcare services. Research suggests misaligned organisational and functional boundaries still thwart effective patient care. Using social network theory and knowledge transfer framework we examine two long-term condition health networks where brokering occurs to bridge the gaps in provision or information exchange. The experiences of patients, relatives and healthcare practitioners illustrate where information/knowledge is transferred, translated and transformed across organisational and functional boundaries. We propose brokering is essential to the integrated healthcare system. Areas of further research include power of brokers and the value and cost of brokering.