Network of Care
The coordinated system of mental health, substance use, primary care, social service, and community support providers that collectively deliver comprehensive care to individuals with psychiatric conditions.
Full Definition
A network of care in community psychiatry describes the intentional web of formal and informal providers, agencies, and systems that must function collaboratively to address the multidimensional needs of individuals with serious mental illness. It encompasses psychiatric providers, primary care physicians, housing agencies, vocational programmes, peer support organisations, and informal supports such as family and faith communities. Effective network-of-care functioning depends on clear communication channels, shared information systems, and defined roles for each partner. In editorial contexts, 'network of care' is written lowercase as a common noun unless it is the proper name of a specific regional system or programme, in which case capitalisation and confirmation of exact name are required.
Usage
Usage note: Lowercase unless part of a proper programme name. Distinguish from 'system of care,' which typically denotes a policy framework for child and family services, and from 'continuum of care,' which describes sequential service levels.
In Context
- "The report assessed the strength of the county's network of care by examining service gaps, referral patterns, and coordination protocols." — Community needs assessment
- "Effective case management requires that the care coordinator map each client's existing network of care before introducing new referrals." — Case management training manual