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This work investigates the idea of a coordination service that improves the information flow between independent stakeholders along the patient care pathway. Based on identified requirements regarding process, ICT-structure, and legal constraints, a stroke-specific coordination service was developed, validated, implemented, and evaluated accordingly. The coordination service, the so called Stroke Manager, was analyzed by evaluating its effectiveness, efficiency, and acceptance in an 18-months randomized controlled trial in the German region Rhön Grabfeld. The randomized controlled trial confirmed a significant positive impact on patients´ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and competences while providing a positive cost-benefit ratio and acceptance by the involved stakeholders.

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Roland Görlitz majored in Computer Science at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany. His PhD thesis "Patient-centered Coordination in Healthcare Service Networks" reflects his major interests: coordination and information management in inter-organizational service networks, telemedicine, health 2.0 and mobile health.

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