From e-Health to integrated health care: theory and practice.

Introduction: Health care organizations and providers are under constant pressure to do more with less. On the other hand, users of health care services are faced with problems due to errors in communication between professionals, fragmentation of care and gaps in the continuum of care.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of the term 'integration' with reference to health, and underscore the need for integration of the healthcare systems.