Write Summary At the beginning of the integration process, particularly in Stage 1, the strategies that follow may enable the various parties to come together. Emphasize collaboration and team building To reduce the breeding ground for conflict, it is highly desirable that everybody be included in the initial stages of the planning process. Later, representative groups will be formed to carry the project forward. Some physicians will want to proceed with forming a physician organization while others will decide that they do not wish to join. It should be emphasized that the decision to join or not to join is an expression of free choice. Attempts to prevent or obstruct formation of the group, therefore, should be regarded as interference with this freedom and should not be tolerated. Seek trust relationships. In many hospitals, levels of trust are low. When asked why this is so, people often respond, "It is our history." While it may not be possible to rewrite history, it may be possible to remember it differently. Exploration of old wounds, who caused them, and how they were inflicted is not an effective method of building trusting relationships. Instead, there should be an attempt to develop mutual respect, understand the stresses and strains upon the potential partners, be willing to forgive one another for past perceived injustices, and be willing to recognize that the world is full of shifting alliances in which from time to time we may be on the same and then on differe