Program managers' perspectives on using knowledge to support population health management initiatives in their development towards health and wellbeing systems: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Population health management (PHM) initiatives are more frequently implemented as a means to tackle the growing pressure on healthcare systems in Western countries. These initiatives aim to transform healthcare systems into sustainable health and wellbeing systems. International studies have already identified guiding principles to aid this development. However, translating this knowledge to action remains a challenge. To help address this challenge, the study aims to identify program managers' experiences and their expectations as to the use of this knowledge to support the development process of PHM initiatives. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were held with program managers of ten Dutch PHM initiatives. These Dutch PHM initiatives were all part of a reflexive evaluation study and were selected on the basis of their variety in focus and involved stakeholders. Program managers were asked about their experiences with, and expectations towards, knowledge use to support the development of their initiative. The interviews with the program managers were coded and clustered thematically. RESULTS: Three lessons for knowledge use for the development of PHM initiatives were identified: (1) being able to use knowledge regarding the complexity of PHM development requires (external) expertise regarding PHM development and knowledge about the local situation regarding these themes; (2) the dissemination of knowledge about strategies for PHM development requires better guidance for action, by providing more practical examples of actions and consequences; (3) a collective learning process within the PHM initiative is needed to support knowledge being successfully used for action. CONCLUSIONS: Disseminating and using knowledge to aid PHM initiatives is complex due to the complexity of the PHM development itself, and the different contextual factors affecting knowledge use in this development. The findings in this study suggest that for empirical knowledge to support PHM development, tailoring knowledge to only program managers' use might be insufficient to support the initiatives' development, as urgency for change amongst the other involved stakeholders is needed to translate knowledge to action. Therefore, including more partners of the initiatives in knowledge dissemination and mobilization processes is advised.

How to collaborate for health throughout the project timeline - a longitudinal study reflecting on implemented strategies in three projects for a healthy living environment.

BACKGROUND: When improving the health of local and regional populations, cross-sector collaboration between different policy domains, non-governmental organisations and citizens themselves is needed. Previously, enabling factors and strategies have been identified to improve cross-sector collaboration for health. However, few longitudinal studies have been conducted to understand how the implementation of strategies for cross-sector collaboration changes throughout the collaboration process. The aim of this study is therefore to learn more about the different strategies that were implemented throughout three cross-sector collaboration projects for a healthy living environment. METHODS: The realist evaluation approach was used to understand how the implemented strategies worked, in which context, why and with what outcomes. Project partners were asked to reflect on their implemented strategies at two different moments in the project timelines, and quarterly updates with project leaders were held. In addition two reference panels were organised for data triangulation. RESULTS: Three key insights for successful cross-sector collaboration throughout projects for a healthy living environment were identified, namely 1. Investing in trust among the partners and faith in the project has a positive influence on continuing the collaboration throughout the project; 2. Making stakeholders actively participate throughout the project requires additional strategies after the onset of the project, and 3. Defining roles, tasks, and other prerequisites at the start of the project helps in pursuing the project over time, but needs re-examination throughout the project. These key insights were based on multiple examples of implemented strategies, linked to context, mechanisms and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the different strategies that can be employed as the collaboration in projects for a healthy living environment progresses. We found that 'trust' does not merely include the relationships built between the partners, but at the onset of projects can also be based on faith in the project itself. In addition, as it can be difficult to foresee the right investments and strategies at the onset of the project, frequent reflection moments to choose fitting strategies might benefit regional partners in their cross-sector collaboration for health.

[High and intensive care three years later; an evaluation of the experiences of patients and employees and the effect on coercive measures in psychiatry]. / Drie jaar high en intensive care; evaluatie van ervaringen van cliënten en medewerkers en effect op gebruik van dwang en drang.

BACKGROUND: As part of the national campaign against the use of coercive measures in psychiatry, the Mental Health Service in Eindhoven set up the first modern high and intensive care centre (HIC) in Eindhoven in 2012. AIM: To study the progress of the numbers on coercive measures, and to evaluate the experiences of patients and treatment team members after working for three years according to the HIC model. METHOD: We analysed the registration data, carried out a short survey and conducted interviews. RESULTS: We found that the number of coercive measures used between 2012 and 2015 had declined by 42%. Patients generally had a positive attitude to the treatment they had received. They appreciated the role played by the team and were pleased to have had access to modern technology. Team members had a positive attitude to working with the HIC model. CONCLUSION: The main goals of working according to the new HIC model have been achieved. However, it should be possible to increase cooperation with mobile teams, develop more links with patients' next-of-kin and make wider use of modern technology.

Redesigning mental healthcare delivery: is there an effect on organizational climate?

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have investigated the effect of redesign on operational performance; fewer studies have evaluated the effects on employees' perceptions of their working environment (organizational climate). Some authors state that redesign will lead to poorer organizational climate, while others state the opposite. The goal of this study was to empirically investigate this relation. DESIGN: Organizational climate was measured in a field experiment, before and after a redesign intervention. At one of the sites, a redesign project was conducted. At the other site, no redesign efforts took place. SETTING: Two Dutch child- and adolescent-mental healthcare providers. PARTICIPANTS: Professionals that worked at one of the units at the start and/or the end of the intervention period. INTERVENTION: The main intervention was a redesign project aimed at improving timely delivery of services (modeled after the breakthrough series). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores on the four models of the organizational climate measure, a validated questionnaire that measures organizational climate. RESULTS: Our analysis showed that climate at the intervention site changed on factors related to productivity and goal achievement (rational goal model). The intervention group scored worse than the comparison group on the part of the questionnaire that focuses on sociotechnical elements of organizational climate. However, observed differences were so small, that their practical relevance seems rather limited. CONCLUSIONS: Redesign efforts in healthcare, so it seems, do not influence organizational climate as much as expected.

Model fidelity of assertive community treatment for clients with first-episode psychosis: a target group-specific application.

Assertive community treatment (ACT) is described as a team treatment model designed to provide assertive, outreaching, comprehensive, community-based, rehabilitation-oriented and supportive psychiatric services for people with severe mental illness as reported by Drake et al. (Psychiatr Serv 52: 179-182, 2001) and Teague et al. (Psychiatr Serv 68: 216-232, 1998). This study explores variations in the way the original components of ACT are implemented for the target group of clients with a first-episode psychosis, and establishes whether these variations lead the treatment model to a higher, more valuable, outcome level. The study also describes how to achieve this optimally effective application of target group-specific treatment services.

[Assertive Community Treatment for patients with a first episode psychosis. Model fidelity and specific adaptations for particular target groups]. / Assertive Community Treatment bij patiënten met een eerste psychose. Modelgetrouwheid en doelgroepspecifieke aanpassingen.

BACKGROUND: Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based treatment model, which has been frequently discussed and investigated and which has been used mainly with patients suffering from 'severe mental illness'. It is a pro-active type of treatment involving a multidisciplinary team who provide outreaching and intensive care (treatment, rehabilitation and support). Increasingly, the act model is being used with other target groups such as patients with a first episode psychosis. Frequently act is not being implemented strictly in accordance with the original model. As a result, various combinations of elements of act are being presented. AIM: Primarily to find out whether the original components of act can be varied in such a way that it combines the best possible treatment procedures for the target group of patients suffering from a first episode psychosis. METHOD: Model fidelity was measured and patients and their carers were asked to state to what extent the care provided met their care requirements. The results were used for adaptations of the original model. However, it was assumed from the outset that any variations on the essential elements of the act model could undermine the fundamental principles of act and affect its efficacy. We therefore adhered to the original model as strictly as possible, looking particularly at the care requirements of patients and carers and examining which elements of the model could be used to improve the care of patients with a first episode psychosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Results show that it is possible to implement the original act model successfully and that patients and caregivers are satisfied with the model. There is strong evidence that the implementation of elements of the act in specific combinations can increase the efficacy of the act when it is applied to special groups of patients, such as those with a first episode psychosis. However, considerable care and caution are called for when act is being adapted in this way for use with special groups of patients.

Communalization of health care: how to do it properly. Criteria for a just communalization of health care applied to the Dutch situation.

Communalization of health care refers to the increasing responsibility of citizens to look after their ill or handicapped fellow members of society and to provide care to them. Governments in Western Europe more and more develop health care policies directed at communalization of health care. The article discusses the care responsibilities of individuals based on the views of the philosophers Buber, Levinas, and Ricoeur and on the views of the family therapist Nagy. The care responsibilities of states are discussed in terms of the views of the political philosophers Rawls and Daniels and these are linked to right liberal, left liberal, and Christian-democrat views on care responsibilities of states. Thereupon, four criteria for a proper communalization of health care are proposed and different forms of health care policies with respect to communalization of care are assessed. In the last section, we look closely at several measures in the just reformed Dutch health care system and discuss how far these measures meet our criteria for a proper communalization. We focus in this section on the effects of these measures on family care because more and more family care plays an important role in good functioning of the health care system.

Key concepts of demand-driven health care; an approach based on client's needs.

In most European countries we are witnessing a shift from supply-driven to demand-driven approaches in health care. According to these approaches, health care should contribute to the fulfillment of health-care-related needs of individuals and, therefore, to their perceived quality of life. The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework for research in this new view of health care. The authors conclude that the 'felt need' should be the foundation of demand-driven care. The second part of the study is based on a widely used behavioral model resulting in a conceptual framework for research, policy and practice. This study makes a start at providing information about fundamental concepts that are at the heart of the demand-driven approach. In order to contribute to quality of life, health care providers should explore the underlying needs while developing services in order to fit the demand-driven approach.