ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We conducted a mixed methods study from June 2014 to March 2015 to assess the perspectives of stakeholders in networks that adopt a population approach for chronic disease prevention (CDP). The purpose of the study was to identify important and feasible outcome measures for monitoring network performance. METHODS: Participants from CDP networks in Canada completed an online concept mapping exercise, which was followed by interviews with network stakeholders to further understand the findings. RESULTS: Nine concepts were considered important outcomes of CDP networks: enhanced learning, improved use of resources, enhanced or increased relationships, improved collaborative action, network cohesion, improved system outcomes, improved population health outcomes, improved practice and policy planning, and improved intersectoral engagement. Three themes emerged from participant interviews related to measurement of the identified concepts: the methodological difficulties in measuring network outcomes, the dynamic nature of network evolution and function and implications for outcome assessment, and the challenge of measuring multisectoral engagement in CDP networks. CONCLUSION: Results from this study provide initial insights into concepts that can be used to describe the outcomes of networks for CDP and may offer foundations for strengthening network outcome-monitoring strategies and methodologies.
Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/prevention & control , Community Networks/organization & administration , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Primary Prevention , Canada , Health Status , Humans , Learning , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
For 12 years, a research program has been conducted on "dark networks," which are both illegal and covert. One of the major findings is that the structure of the network is conditioned by an existential dilemma-the need to act or exist. The more you do of one, the less you can do of the other. This article examines the findings of that research and applies it to the dilemmas of organizing healthcare networks.
Subject(s)
Community Networks , Cooperative Behavior , Health Services Research , Leadership , Community Networks/legislation & jurisprudence , Delivery of Health Care , HumansABSTRACT
Networks of collaborating organizations have become critical mechanisms for the effective delivery of healthcare and related human services. Despite their importance, there is much about health networks that is not understood. The article by Huerta, Casebeer and VanderPlaat is an effort to discuss the importance of health services delivery networks and to point out ways in which such networks might best be studied. Their article offers a number of useful and interesting ideas for both practice and research. Many of these ideas are not, however, well organized, integrated or fully developed. This commentary provides a critique of their work, while offering some of our own suggestions about how the study of health delivery networks might be advanced.
Subject(s)
Community Networks/organization & administration , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Health Services Research , Models, Organizational , Canada , Community Networks/classification , Cooperative Behavior , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/classification , Empirical Research , Humans , Interinstitutional Relations , Outcome Assessment, Health CareABSTRACT
This article reports the results of research on a single, urban system of health and human services delivery for clients with serious mental illness. The primary focus was to examine how collaboration and services integration among the more than 40 mostly nonprofit provider agencies were affected by the introduction of managed care. A critical factor in explaining the results was the role of the behavioral health authority in implementing and managing the system.
