Intersectoral collaboration for supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families and children in out-of-home care: perspectives from Western Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

Introduction: Western Australia has one of the highest rates of Aboriginal children entering out-of-home care in Australia. Kinship care is the preferred culturally safe out-of-home care option for Aboriginal children, yet all jurisdictions, including Western Australia, are far from meeting best-practice national standards. Intersectoral collaboration is a key primary healthcare principle and internationally recognized for improving health systems and outcomes. This paper presents findings from a qualitative research project investigating Aboriginal primary healthcare workers' experiences of intersectoral collaboration challenges and strengthening opportunities. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory guided this research involving 55 semi-structured interviews and four focus group discussions with Aboriginal primary healthcare workers. The research was guided by Indigenous methodologies and led by Indigenous researchers Participants were recruited from seven Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations located across Perth metro, Pilbara, Midwest/Gascoyne and Southwest regions in Western Australia. Results: Key themes identified around intersectoral collaboration challenges were communication, including information sharing and interagency meetings, and the relationship with the government sector, including trust and the importance of the perception of Aboriginal health service independence. Key themes around strengthening areas to improve intersectoral collaboration included strengthening service resourcing and coverage, including the availability of services, and addressing high program turnover. The need for a shift in approach, including more emphasis on Aboriginal-led care and aligning approaches between sectors, was another area for strengthening. Discussion: This study addresses a significant research gap concerning out-of-home care, kinship care, and intersectoral collaboration in an Australian Aboriginal context. Findings highlighted the need to review the out-of-home and kinship models of care to strengthen the system, including creating more formal and structured modes of collaborating and better resourcing family support and kinship care.

World views on shortage in nursing resource: Challenges and opportunities.

BACKGROUND: Shortage in nursing resource results from the combination of a lack of nurses, an increased patient volume and workload, and other factors. This seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, leading to multiple health care related challenges and a decreased quality of care, but is different in extent in high- vs. low-income countries. An international perspective can alleviate challenges to keep our patients safe through increasing our health workers' safety. PURPOSE & METHOD: To exchange experiences with the shortage in nursing resource globally, an international online conference event was hosted. Speakers from Germany, the Philippines, Poland, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and the United States presented their national challenges and strategies to deal with this phenomenon. RESULTS: Conference presentations included information about the health care systems, comparable numbers of hospital beds, nurses, and nursing education. Speakers reported challenges such as an imbalance between a high nurse vacancy rate and demands, but also war and refugees, high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infection rates, or nurses' migration to other countries; the solutions reported included buy-in from other countries, nurses-attracting projects such as Magnet hospitals, improved job opportunities like higher wages, career prospects, or improved education, and others. CONCLUSIONS: Shortage in nursing resource seems to be a global phenomenon. Nursing managers and researchers should exchange and communicate challenges and solutions continuously and cooperate globally.

The WERA cancer center matrix: Strategic management of patient access to precision oncology in a large and mostly rural area of Germany.

PURPOSE: Providing patient access to precision oncology (PO) is a major challenge of clinical oncologists. Here, we provide an easily transferable model from strategic management science to assess the outreach of a cancer center. METHODS: As members of the German WERA alliance, the cancer centers in Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg and Augsburg merged care data regarding their geographical impact. Specifically, we examined the provenance of patients from WERA´s molecular tumor boards (MTBs) between 2020 and 2022 (n = 2243). As second dimension, we added the provenance of patients receiving general cancer care by WERA. Clustering our catchment area along these two dimensions set up a four-quadrant matrix consisting of postal code areas with referrals towards WERA. These areas were re-identified on a map of the Federal State of Bavaria. RESULTS: The WERA matrix overlooked an active screening area of 821 postal code areas - representing about 50 % of Bavaria´s spatial expansion and more than six million inhabitants. The WERA matrix identified regions successfully connected to our outreach structures in terms of subsidiarity - with general cancer care mainly performed locally but PO performed in collaboration with WERA. We also detected postal code areas with a potential PO backlog - characterized by high levels of cancer care performed by WERA and low levels or no MTB representation. CONCLUSIONS: The WERA matrix provided a transparent portfolio of postal code areas, which helped assessing the geographical impact of our PO program. We believe that its intuitive principle can easily be transferred to other cancer centers.

Critical Success Factors for Intersectoral Collaboration: Homelessness and COVID-19 - Case Studies and Learnings from an Australian City.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally impacted people experiencing homelessness, including people sleeping rough, people in temporary accommodation and those living in boarding houses. This paper reports on intersectoral responses across six health and social care agencies in Inner Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Prior to the pandemic the six agencies had established an Intersectoral Homelessness Health Strategy (IHHS), in recognition of the need for intersectoral collaboration to address the complex health needs of people experiencing homelessness. Description: The governance structure of the IHHS provided a platform for several innovative intersectoral responses to the pandemic. A realist informed framework was used to select, describe, and analyse case studies of intersectoral collaboration. Discussion: The resultant six critical success factors (trust, shared ways of working, agile collaboration, communication mechanisms, authorising environment, and sustained momentum), align with the existing literature that explores effective intersectoral collaboration in complex health or social care settings. This paper goes further by describing intersectoral collaboration 'in action', setting a strong foundation for future collaborative initiatives. Conclusion: While there is no single right approach to undertaking intersectoral collaboration, which is highly context specific, the six critical success factors identified could be applied to other health issues where dynamic collaboration and integration of healthcare is needed.

Navigating intersectoral collaboration in nutrition programming: implementors' perspectives from Assam, India.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in the use of intersectoral collaborative (ISC) approaches to address complex health-related issues. However, relatively little empirical research exists on the challenges of implementing, fostering and sustaining these approaches. Our study explores the perceptions and experiences of programme implementers regarding the implementation of an ISC approach, focusing on a case study of nutrition programming in Assam, India. METHODS: We conducted qualitative semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews with eleven programme implementers from two selected districts of Assam, India. These participants were purposefully sampled to provide a comprehensive understanding of the experiences of implementing intersectoral collaboration. Following the interviews, an inductive thematic analysis was performed on the collected data. RESULTS: The study identified three main themes: operationalisation of ISC in daily practice, facilitators of ISC, and barriers to effective ISC. These were further broken down into six subthemes: defined sectoral mandates, leadership dynamics, interpersonal relationships and engagement, collective vision and oversight, resource allocation, and power dynamics. These findings highlight the complexity of ISC, focusing on the important structural and relational aspects at the macro, meso, and micro levels. Interpersonal relationships and power dynamics among stakeholders substantially influenced ISC formation in both the districts. CONCLUSION: Despite challenges, there is ongoing interest in establishing ISC in nutrition programming, supported by political development agendas. Success relies on clarifying sectoral roles, addressing power dynamics, and engaging stakeholders systematically. Actionable plans with measurable targets are crucial for promoting and sustaining ISC, ensuring positive programme outcomes. The insights from our study provide valuable guidance for global health practitioners and policymakers dealing with similar challenges, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive research given the lack of universally recognised policies in the realm of ISC in global health practice.

[Rehabilitation needs of geriatric patients in subacute inpatient care after acute inpatient hospitalization-a neglected claim]. / Rehabilitationsbedarf geriatrischer Patienten in Kurzzeitpflege nach akutstationärem Aufenthalt ­ ein vernachlässigter Versorgungsanspruch.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric patients after hospitalization often utilize subacute inpatient care (SC); however, little is known about their care and further health status. OBJECTIVE: To identify persons in SC with rehabilitation needs and improvement potential after hospitalization and to describe the care, relevant parameters of the health status as well as use of medical/nursing services in and after SC. METHODS: After positive screening for previous hospitalization and need of rehabilitation with improvement potential in 13 nursing homes, the length of stay, therapeutic treatments and physician contacts in SC as well as functional parameters, pain, quality of life and the utilization of services according to the Social Security Code V (SGB V) and SGB XI were assessed at baseline, at the end and 3 months after SC. RESULTS: A total of 108 (44%) out of 243 screened persons with previous hospitalization had a need of rehabilitation with improvement potential, of whom 57 participated in the study. In SC (median = 26 days) 35% received no therapeutic treatments and 28% had no physician contact. After SC 40% were transferred to rehabilitation. Participants with rehabilitation transition more frequently received therapeutic treatments in SC (p = 0.021) and were less frequently in long-term care 3 months after SC (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a high proportion of persons in SC after hospitalization are in need of rehabilitation with improvement potential, which is not sufficiently treated. Regular therapeutic treatments in SC could improve the transition rate to rehabilitation and subsequent home environment.

Patient experiences of interprofessional collaboration and intersectoral communication in rare disease healthcare in Germany - a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Rare diseases are often complex, chronic and many of them life-shortening. In Germany, healthcare for rare diseases is organized in expert centers for rare diseases. Most patients additionally have regional general practicioners and specialists for basic medical care. Thus, collaboration and information exchange between sectors is highly relevant. Our study focuses on the patient and caregiver perspective on intersectoral and interdisciplinary care between local healthcare professionals (HCPs) and centers for rare diseases in Germany. The aims were (1) to investigate patients' and caregivers' general experience of healthcare, (2) to analyse patients' and caregivers' perception of collaboration and cooperation between local healthcare professionals and expert centers for rare diseases and (3) to investigate patients' and caregivers' satisfaction with healthcare in the expert centers for rare diseases. RESULTS: In total 299 individuals of whom 176 were patients and 123 were caregivers to pediatric patients participated in a survey using a questionnaire comprising several instruments and constructs. Fifty participants were additionally interviewed using a semistructured guideline. Most patients reported to receive written information about their care, have a contact person for medical issues and experienced interdisciplinary exchange within the centers for rare diseases. Patients and caregivers in our sample were mainly satisfied with the healthcare in the centers for rare diseases. The qualitative interviews showed a rather mixed picture including experiences of uncoordinated care, low engagement and communication difficulties between professionals of different sectors. Patients reported several factors that influenced the organization and quality of healthcare e.g. engagement and health literacy in patients or engagement of HCPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the high relevance of transferring affected patients to specialized care as fast as possible to provide best medical treatment and increase patient satisfaction. Intersectoral collaboration should exceed written information exchange and should unburden patients of being and feeling responsible for communication between sectors and specialists. Results indicate a lack of inclusion of psychosocial aspects in routine care, which suggests opportunities for necessary improvements.

Enabling nurses' engagement in the design of healthcare technology - Core competencies and requirements: A qualitative study.

Background: Due to the globally increasing demand for care, innovation is important to maintain quality, safety, effectiveness, patient sensitivity, and outcome orientation. Health care technologies could be a solution to innovate, maintain, or improve the quality of care and simultaneously decrease nurses' workload. Currently, nurses are rarely involved in the design of health care technologies, mostly due to time constraints with clinical nursing responsibilities and limited exposure to technology and design disciplines. To ensure that health care technologies fit into nurses' core and routine practice, nurses should be actively involved in the design process. Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the main requirements for nurses' active participation in the design of health care technologies. Design: An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was used which helps to both understand and describe a phenomenon. Participants: Twelve nurses from three academic hospitals in the Netherlands participated in this study. Method: Data were collected from semistructured interviews with hospital nurses experienced in design programs and thematically analysed. Results: Four themes were identified concerning the main requirements for nurses to participate in the design of health care technologies: (1) nurses' motivations to participate, (2) the process of technology development, (3) required competence to participate (such as assertiveness, creative thinking, problem solving skills), and (4) facilitating and organizing nurses' participation. Conclusion: Nurses experience their involvement in the design process as essential, distinctive, and meaningful but experience few possibilities to combine this work with their current workload, flows, routines, and requirements. To participate in the design of health care technologies nurses need motivation and specific competencies. Organizations should facilitate time for nurses to acquire the required competencies and to be intentionally involved in technology design and development activities.

Nurturing transformative local structures of multisectoral collaboration for primary health care: qualitative insights from select states in India.

BACKGROUND: Multisectoral collaboration is essential for advancing primary health care (PHC). In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), limited institutional capacities, governance issues, and inadequate stakeholder engagement impede multisectoral collaboration. India faces similar challenges, especially at the meso-level (districts and subdistricts). Owing to its dependence on context, and insufficient evidence, understanding "How" to improve multisectoral collaboration remains challenging. This study aims to elicit specific recommendations to strengthen meso-level stewardship in India for multisectoral collaboration. The findings from this study may offer lessons for other LMICs. METHODS: Using purposive, maximum variation sampling, the study team conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 diverse participants, including policymakers, implementers, development agency representatives, and academics experienced in multisectoral initiatives. The interviews delved into participants' experiences, the current situation, enablers, and recommendations for enhancing stakeholder engagement and capacities at the meso-level for multisectoral collaboration. RESULTS: Context and power are critical elements to consider in fostering effective collaboration. Multisectoral collaboration was particularly successful in three distinct governance contexts: the social-democratic context as in Kerala, the social governance context in Chhattisgarh, and the public health governance context in Tamil Nadu. Adequate health system input and timely guidance instil confidence among local implementers to collaborate. While power plays a role through local leadership's influence in setting agendas, convening stakeholders, and ensuring accountability. To nurture transformative local leaders for collaboration, holistic, equity-driven, community-informed approaches are essential. The study participants proposed several concrete steps: at the state level, establish "central management units" for supervising local implementers and ensuring bottom-up feedback; at the district level, rationalise committees and assign deliverables to stakeholders; and at the block level, expand convergence structures and involve local self-governments. Development partners can support data-driven priority setting, but local implementers with contextual familiarity should develop decentralised plans collaboratively, articulating rationales, activities, and resources. Finally, innovative training programs are required at all levels, fostering humility, motivation, equity awareness, leadership, problem- solving, and data use proficiency. CONCLUSION: This study offers multiple solutions to enhance local implementers' engagement in multisectoral efforts, advocating for the development, piloting, and evaluation of innovative approaches such as the block convergence model, locally-led collaboration efforts, and novel training methods for local implementers.

Priority setting: Development of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium RoadMap for Action.

ISSUES ADDRESSED: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people in South Australia are overburdened by cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium (Consortium) was established in June 2017 as a collaborative partnership to lead the implementation of three state-wide chronic disease plans using a strategic approach to identifying key priority areas for action. METHODS: In 2017-2018, the Consortium Coordinating Centre facilitated a priority setting process, which involved extensive consultation, including a prioritisation survey and stakeholder workshops. The Consortium's Aboriginal Community Reference Group was instrumental in leading the identification of priorities for action. RESULTS: The Consortium RoadMap for Action identified seven across-plan priorities and six condition-specific priorities. It acknowledged that: strengthening social and emotional well-being is central to improving health outcomes; prevention and early detection, acute management and ongoing management are all components of the continuum of care; and improving access to services, strengthening the workforce, and monitoring and evaluation are required across the continuum of care. CONCLUSION: Widespread implementation failure in the past across the health system and health services implementation and research translation highlights the value of the Consortium approach and its commitment to implementing the state-wide chronic disease plans in a collaborative manner. The Consortium relies on and fosters cross-sectoral alignment, with all key players including all public, private and Aboriginal Community Controlled health services, to progress its priorities and aspirations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people using evidence-based strategies. SO WHAT?: Rigorous and transparent priority setting processes that bring together research, clinical practice, health services operations, policy and community perspectives can foster intersectoral collaboration and partnership and support the implementation of shared priorities.

Intersectoral Partnerships Between Local Governments and Health Organisations in High-Income Contexts: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Local governments are the closest level of government to the communities they serve. Traditionally providing roads, rates and garbage services, they are also responsible for policy and regulation, particularly land use planning and community facilities and services that have direct and indirect impacts on (equitable) health and well-being. Partnerships between health agencies and local government are therefore an attractive proposition to progress actions that positively impact community health and well-being. Yet, the factors underpinning these partnerships across different contexts are underdeveloped, as mechanisms to improve population health and well-being. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to gain insight into the concepts, theories, sources, and knowledge gaps that shape partnerships between health and local governments. The search strategy followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and was informed by a critical realist approach that identifies necessary, contingent and contextual factors in the literature. MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Central databases were searched for studies published between January 2005 and July 2021. RESULTS: The search yielded 3472 studies, after deleting duplicates and initial title and abstract screening, 188 papers underwent full text review. Twenty-nine papers were included in the review. Key themes shaping partnerships included funding and resources; partnership qualities; governance and policy; and evaluation and measures of success. The functional, organisational and individual aspects of these themes are explored and presented in a framework. CONCLUSION: Given that local government are the closest level of government to community, this paper provides a sophisticated roadmap that can underpin partnerships between local government and health agencies aiming to influence population health outcomes. By identifying key themes across contexts, we provide a framework that may assist in designing and evaluating evidence-informed health and local government partnerships.

Mapping health promotion practices across key sectors and its intersectoral approach at the local level: Study protocol.

AIMS: This study outlines a protocol aimed at identifying and mapping health promotion practices in need of development from the perspectives of key sectors responsible for it at the local level and from an intersectoral perspective across four Spanish regions. DESIGN: A complementary multi-method study combining survey methods and qualitative interviews will be adopted. METHODS: Purposive snowball sampling will be employed to select potentially rich informants from city councils, primary care centres, primary and secondary schools, and public health and civil society organizations in 12 municipalities sensitive to local health. Data on the degree of execution of health promotion activities, the level of intersectorality in their implementation, and their origins will be collected using PromoACTIVA questionnaires, an intersectoral typology model and an interview protocol. A parallel mixed analysis encompassing descriptive statistics and a 'framework analysis' will be performed. DISCUSSION: This study is expected to yield thorough and reliable insights into health promotion practices and omissions at the local level by focusing on key stakeholders, both individually and collaboratively. This information can enhance health promotion planning and improve its effectiveness, efficiency and contextual relevance. The development and testing of a methodology for the integration and interpretation of these data will ensure sustainable capacity building. IMPACT: Managers and practitioners interested in health promotion planning in the researched settings can benefit from a comprehensive map of the current state of their practices and insights into the starting points of collaboration. In addition, planners from other local settings will gain access to tools and methodologies to replicate and expand these maps to their own contexts. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: Engaging key stakeholders with experience working in or with primary care centres, public health organizations, primary and secondary schools, civil society organizations, and city councils was vital to ensure the study's relevance and feasibility.

Tecendo redes: discussões sobre intersetorialidade e articulação territorial de serviços de saúde mental / Weaving networks: discussions about intersectoriality and territorial articulation of mental health services / Tejiendo redes: discusiones sobre intersectorialidad y articulación territorial de servicios de salud mental

As ações e serviços de saúde brasileiros organizam-se seguindo a lógica das Redes de Atenção à Saúde (RAS). Considerando as necessidades específicas dos indivíduos em sofrimento psíquico e/ou abuso de substâncias psicoativas, estabeleceu-se uma rede temática de cuidados em saúde mental: Rede de Atenção Psicossocial (Raps). Para refletir e dialogar sobre atenção à saúde em rede, consideramos que ela se constrói em território mediante a circulação e interação de gestores, trabalhadores e usuários. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa objetivou identificar as parcerias intersetoriais diretamente relacionadas ao cuidado psicossocial, refletindo sobre suas contribuições para a continuidade da atenção à saúde mental em território no cenário estudado. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo, com abordagem qualitativa e enfoque exploratório-descritivo, na cidade de Natal-RN, em serviços aleatoriamente selecionados, buscando contemplar os diversos componentes da Raps. A coleta dos dados aconteceu no período de maio a outubro de 2017, a partir da realização de sessões de grupo focal e observação descritiva de serviços e estratégias que compõem a Raps Natal/RN. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob CAAE nº 65226817.5.0000.5292 e parecer 1.997.883. O estudo revelou os serviços da assistência social, serviços socioeducativos para crianças e adolescentes que cometem atos infracionais, igrejas e organizações não governamentais como as principais parcerias intersetoriais na rede. Evidencia-se a necessidade de fomentar um 'agir intersetorial' que transite pelos micro e macro espaços das políticas de saúde, assistência e seguridade social para a articulação das RAS e concretização da Raps em território.

Actions and services provided by the Brazilian healthcare system are organized following the Health Care Networks (HCN) model. Considering the specific needs of individuals undergoing psychological distress and/or substance abuse, a thematic network for mental health care was established: the Psychosocial Care Network (PCN). To reflect on and discuss networked healthcare, we consider that networks are built within a territory by circulation and interaction of managers, workers, and users. As such, this research identified intersectoral partnerships directly related to psychosocial care, pointing out their contributions to the continuity of mental health care in the studied territory. A descriptive exploratory field study was conducted in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, with randomly selected services to encompass the various PCN components. Data was collected from May to October 2017 by means of focus group sessions and descriptive observation of services and strategies provided by the RAPS. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under CAAE 65226817.5.0000.5292 and approval number 1.997.883. Results identified social assistance services, socio-educational services for children and adolescents who commit infractions, churches, and non-governmental organizations as the main intersectoral partnerships in the network. This highlights the need to foster an 'intersectoral action' that moves through the micro and macro spaces of health, assistance, and social security policies to articulate Health Care Networks and implement the Psychosocial Care Network in the territory.

Las acciones y servicios de salud en Brasil se organizan desde la lógica de las Redes de Atención a la Salud (RAS). Teniendo en cuenta las necesidades específicas de las personas en sufrimiento psíquico y/o abuso de sustancias psicoactivas, se estableció la red temática de atención en salud mental: la Red de Atención Psicosocial (RAPS). Para reflexionar y dialogar sobre la atención de salud en red, consideramos que la red se construye en el territorio mediante la circulación e interacción de gestores, trabajadores y usuarios. Así, la investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las alianzas intersectoriales directamente relacionadas con la atención psicosocial, reflexionando sobre sus contribuciones para la continuidad de la atención en salud mental en el territorio estudiado. Para ello, se realizó una investigación de campo con enfoque cualitativo y exploratorio-descriptivo en la ciudad de Natal (Rio Grande do Norte ­RN­, Brasil), en servicios seleccionados de manera aleatoria, buscando abarcar los diversos componentes de la RAPS. La recolección de datos tuvo lugar de mayo a octubre de 2017, mediante sesiones de grupo focal y observación descriptiva de servicios y estrategias que componen la RAPS Natal/RN. La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética en Investigación bajo el número CAAE 65226817.5.0000.5292 y el dictamen 1.997.883. Los resultados indican que los servicios de asistencia social, los servicios socioeducativos para niños y adolescentes que cometen actos infraccionales, iglesias y organizaciones no gubernamentales son las principales alianzas intersectoriales en la red. Es necesario fomentar una "acción intersectorial" que atraviese los espacios micro y macro de las políticas de salud, asistencia y seguridad social para la articulación de las RAS y la concreción de la RAPS en el territorio.

Intersectorality in a conditional cash transfer programme: Actors, convergences and conflicts.

This study aimed to analyse intersectoral arrangements among the health, education and social assistance sectors in the operationalization of the Bolsa Família Program (BFP). A qualitative approach was carried out, in a peripheral region of a large urban centre of Southeast Brazil. Data content analysis was performed on the basis of reference in the Actor-Network Theory (ANT) using statements by the actors and considering ideas in dispute and work processes in the geopolitical territorial context. Seventeen managers of Municipal Secretariats of Health, Education and Social Assistance were interviewed, as were basic education, primary health care and social assistance professionals. One-off, episodic and discontinuous intersectoral actions were identified, with limited integration among sectors. Convergences and conflicts were found with respect to the institutional processes of BFP. The convergences referred to the conceptions shared among the actors about the role of intersectoral collaboration, as they recognize themselves as providing care to the same vulnerable population. Considering the multiple vulnerabilities of these families, the convergence of actions from different sectors can impact factors that condition inequalities. The conflicts were related to institutional conditions, to sectorized work processes and to a lack of understanding by professionals about the duties of their respective sectors.

Cross-Sector Collaboration to Improve Access to Community Services for People Living With Diabetes: Contributions From Actor-Network Theory.

Diabetes is a global public health issue. The Public Health Agency of Canada published a Diabetes Framework 2022 which recommends collaborative work across sectors to mitigate the impact of diabetes on health and quality of life. Since 2020, the INMED-COMMUNITY pathway has been implemented in Laval, Québec developing collaboration between healthcare and community sectors through a participatory action research approach. The aim of this article is to gain a better understanding of the INMED-COMMUNITY pathway implementation process, based on the mobilization of network actor theory. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted from January to March 2023 with 12 participants from 3 different sectors (community, health system, research), were carried out using actor-network theory. The results explored the conditions for effective intersectoral collaboration in a participatory action research approach to implement the INMED-COMMUNITY pathway. These were: (1) contextualization of the project, (2) a consultation approach involving various stakeholders, (3) creation of new partnerships, (4) presence of a project coordinator, and (5) mobilization of stakeholders around a common definition of diabetes. Mediation supported by a project coordinator contributed to the implementation of an intersectoral collaborative health intervention, largely due to early identification of controversies.

Catalyzing alignment and systems transformation through cross-sector partnerships: Findings from the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the impact of Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) on organizational and community partnerships and explore how ACHs contribute to systems change. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: The California Accountable Communities of Health Initiative (CACHI) was a 5-year, $17 M investment in community health transformation in 13 ACH sites. Data sources include two surveys, key informant interviews, small group conversations, and ACH meeting observations and document review. STUDY DESIGN: This was a mixed-methods, observational study. Surveys conducted in 2021 and 2022 focused on ACH progress in building organizational and community partnerships and ACH impact on partners and systems, respectively. Interviews and small group conversations were conducted toward the end of the CACHI grant period and designed to complement the surveys. DATA COLLECTION: Survey respondents included ACH backbone agency staff and partner organization representatives (n = 141 in 2021 and 88 in 2022). Semistructured individual interviews and group conversations were conducted with 40 ACH backbone staff and partners. Documents were collected via grant reporting and directly from ACH staff. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: ACHs appear to have supported organizational partnerships and collaboration. Seventy-six percent of survey respondents reported that their ACH had strengthened organizations' ability to work together and 65% reported developing new or deepened connections. While ACH participants reported a better understanding of community needs and priorities, progress on community relationships, and greater attention to equity and racial justice, many saw room for improvement on meaningful community engagement. Systems changes and precursors of systems change observed across ACH sites included strengthened partnerships, enhanced knowledge, increased capacity, more collaborative ways of working, and new funding streams. CONCLUSIONS: The ACH model is effective at strengthening organizational partnerships and catalyzing other systems changes and precursors including enhanced knowledge, increased capacity, more collaborative ways of working, and new funding.

[Handover protocols in the emergency department]. / Übergabe und Übergabeschemata in der Notaufnahme.

Patient handovers are a vital juncture in the flow of medical information, and regardless of the mode of handover-oral, written, or combined-it often poses a risk of information loss. This could potentially jeopardize patient safety and influences subsequent treatment. The exchange of information in emergency care settings between paramedics and emergency personnel is particularly prone to errors due to situational specifics such as high ambient noise, the involvement of multiple disciplines, and the need for urgent decision-making in life-threatening situations. As handover training is not yet universally incorporated into education and ongoing training programs, there is a high degree of variability in how it is carried out in practice. However, strategies aimed at enhancing the handover process carry substantial potential for improving staff satisfaction, process quality, and possibly even having a positive prognostic impact.

Interorganizational collaboration in a trauma-informed community: A network analysis of cohesion and change.

Strengthening interorganizational collaboration is critical to mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and improve community health. We examined change in interorganizational collaboration around ACEs within Peace4Tarpon's network and investigated factors influencing collaboration. We conducted a community-wide social network analysis among 32 trauma-informed organizations in 2016 and 2018, using network analysis methods to examine interorganizational cohesion (density, transitivity, triad census) over time, and multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure to investigate factors influencing collaboration. Network cohesion measures indicated small increases in collaboration level and greater network cohesion over time. Conducting ACEs screenings was a significant factor (b = 0.237; p < 0.01) predicting likelihood of interorganizational collaboration in 2016. No assessed ACEs practices predicted collaboration in 2018, suggesting variables assessed predicted a small proportion of variance in collaboration change. Results provide a foundation for understanding how ACEs/trauma-informed practices influence collaboration and highlight implications of interorganizational collaboration. Peace4Tarpon's 2-year progress provides insights for other trauma-informed communities.

Addressing childhood obesity through policy: A cross-sectional study in Malta.

Introduction: Childhood overweight and obesity are major public health challenges, with Malta having one of the highest prevalences among European countries. The COVID-19 pandemic may further worsen this epidemic. The food and physical activity environments impact children's behaviours. This study looks at barriers to maintain a healthy weight, responsibility to address obesity, and assesses parental support for 22 policies aimed at addressing childhood obesity. Public support for policy is key because it influences which policies are adopted and their success. Methods: A cross-sectional, paper-based, quantitative survey was conducted amongst parents of primary school-aged children in Malta in 2018-2019. Ethical approval was obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: 1,169 parents participated. The food environment was more commonly identified as a barrier to maintain a healthy weight than the physical activity environment. Parents were least supportive of taxation policies, and most in favour of increasing spaces available for safe physical activity (94.0%), followed by providing free weight management services for children (90.8%). The level of support varied significantly by various socio-demographic/economic characteristics; parents with a higher educational level were significantly more supportive of most policies. Most findings were consistent with the international literature. Conclusions: Most policies supported are trans-sectoral; a health-in-all policies approach is needed to address the obesogenic environment. The strong public support identified for several policies should embolden policymakers to consider policy options that were not previously considered.

Trabajo colaborativo entre academia y autoridades de salud en tiempos de COVID-19: experiencia en Santander, Colombia

Introducción: Colombia es uno de los países con mayor número de casos de COVID-19 en América Latina y el Caribe. Los gobiernos no pueden trabajar solos en una crisis de gran intensidad, por lo que las alianzas y la colaboración Gobierno-academia toman un valor preponderante. Objetivo: Sistematizar la experiencia del trabajo colaborativo que se realizó entre actores académicos de la región y las autoridades de salud del departamento de Santander, Colombia, en el marco de la emergencia sanitaria por COVID-19 durante 2020-2021. Metodología: A partir de la sistematización de experiencias y desde el enfoque crítico social se realizó un abordaje cualitativo con ocho actores clave del sector académico y de la autoridad en salud que participaron activamente en la alianza. Se hizo una revisión documental y se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas. Resultados: Una vez declarada la emergencia sanitaria, de manera rápida se conformaron dos grupos de trabajo colaborativo, uno entre academia y actores gubernamentales del municipio de Bucaramanga y otro entre academia y actores gubernamentales departamentales; ambos grupos se conformaron de manera voluntaria, pero se diferenciaron en su forma de organización. El trabajo colaborativo y voluntario brindó apoyo a las autoridades en salud, principalmente en la fase de preparación para afrontar la pandemia, traducción y difusión del conocimiento, vigilancia epidemiológica y actividades de fortalecimiento de la capacidad de respuesta. Conclusiones: El apoyo brindado por el equipo colaborativo fue muy proliferativo en actividades e intervenciones, no obstante, se presentaron dificultades y una de ellas fue que un número importante de sus recomendaciones no fueron atendidas por las autoridades sanitarias. Las dificultades presentadas no son diferentes a las ya reportadas en otras emergencias de salud pública, por lo que se requiere continuar fortaleciendo las relaciones Gobierno-academia para que se pueda trazar de manera proactiva una agenda que contribuya a superar las limitaciones que se reportan en este trabajo.

Introduction: Colombia is one of the countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Latin America and the Caribbean. In a health crisis of high intensity, governments cannot work alone, so alliances and collaboration between Government and academia take on a preponderant value. Objective: Systematize the experience of the collaborative work carried out between academic actors in the region and the health authorities from the Department of Santander, Colombia in the framework of the health emergency due to COVID-19 during 2020-2021. Methods: Based on the systematization of experiences and from the critical social approach, a qualitative approach was carried out with eight key actors from the academic sector and the health authority that actively participated in the alliance. Documentary review and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results: Once the health emergency was declared, two collaborative working groups were quickly formed, one between academia and government actors of the municipality of Bucaramanga and another between academia and departmental government actors; both groups were formed voluntarily but differed in their form of organization. The collaborative and voluntary work provided support to health authorities mainly in the preparation phase to face the pandemic, knowledge translation and dissemination, epidemiological surveillance, and response capacity-building activities. Conclusions: The support provided by the collaborative team was very proliferative in activities and interventions; however, difficulties occurred and one of them was that a significant number of their recommendations were not addressed by the health authorities. The difficulties presented are not different from those already reported in other public health emergencies, so it is necessary to continue strengthening the relations between Government-Academia, so that they can proactively draw up an agenda that contributes to overcoming the limitations that are reported in this work.