In the context of health care delivery, what does the term 'care coordination' refer to?

Care coordination refers to the process of organizing patient care activities and sharing information among all participants involved in a patient's care to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate services at the right time and in the right setting. This approach enhances the quality of care delivered and helps prevent duplication of services, which can lead to unnecessary costs and ineffective treatment.

By managing patient care seamlessly across different services, care coordination focuses on creating a cohesive and collaborative environment that involves various healthcare providers, specialists, and support services. This ensures that all aspects of a patient's health are addressed holistically, leading to improved health outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.

In contrast, the other choices do not capture the essence of care coordination. Avoiding communication among health providers would hinder effective care delivery. Promoting independent patient decisions only overlooks the need for collaborative planning and support from healthcare professionals. Reducing patient involvement does not align with the principles of patient-centered care, which emphasize the importance of engaging patients in their healthcare journey. Therefore, managing patient care seamlessly across different services accurately reflects the primary goal of care coordination in healthcare delivery.