Development of systems for support of collaboration in health care: the design arenas

BackgroundThe Australian Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) is fostering a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to mental health care through the establishment of local interdisciplinary networks of mental health professionals. This paper reports on those factors seen by MHPN participants and staff as having affected the formation and continuation of interdisciplinary networks, and therefore the likely sustainability of these groups.MethodThe paper draws on qualitative data from focus groups with mental health professionals participating in MHPN activities and MHPN staff.ResultsThe findings suggest that MHPN’s approach to establishing sustainable interdisciplinary networks has been influenced by a number of factors at the micro-, meso-and macro levels. At the micro-level, factors such as clarity and structure of ongoing meetings, individual dynamics and the role of ‘champions’ can promote or constrain sustainability of ongoing networks. Those networks that had established following an initial workshop and had continued to meet as an interdisciplinary network tended to be led by well-respected co-ordinators, involve members who are enthusiastic and keen to learn from each other, have a flexible structure and meet regularly for a well-defined purpose. These features are underpinned by good communication between network members and with MHPN administration. At the meso- and macro-levels, the key issue relates to resourcing, as well as the wider policy context.ConclusionsThe support and practical resources provided by MHPN have been crucial in guiding successful networks as they form and continue to meet on a regular basis. The networks have also required internal leadership and support, and a clear purpose in order to form and to continue their activities. These findings are consistent with the literature, which states that sustainability of programs is reliant on factors at the project design and implementation level, as well as on factors inherent within the host organization and at the wider community level.

show abstract

“…This is consistent with results from other studies which have explored inter-professional approaches to collaboration [17,18]. …”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

The sustainability of an Australian initiative designed to improve interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health care

King

Christo

Fletcher

et al. 2013

Int J Ment Health Syst

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Collaborative Technology Use by Healthcare Teams

Househ

Lau

2005

J Med Syst

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper reviews the literature on the use of collaborative technologies by healthcare teams between 1980 and 2003. Multiple databases were searched with explicit inclusion criteria that yielded 17 conceptual and empirical papers. The discussions of these literatures centered on the individual, team, and technological dimensions of collaborative technology use within healthcare teams. Results show that collaborative healthcare technologies can have positive effects on team work processes at both the individual and group level. The limited number of research studies accentuates the need for additional research in this area. Future research should focus on defining team tasks; determining which type of groupware works for a particular health setting; and exploring the effects of groupware on patient care delivery and the organization. Without research in these areas, it will be difficult to harness the full advantages of using groupware technologies by collaborative healthcare teams.

show abstract

List of References

2006

Handbook of Evaluation Methods for Health Informatics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Development of systems for support of collaboration in health care: the design arenas

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

The sustainability of an Australian initiative designed to improve interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health care

The sustainability of an Australian initiative designed to improve interdisciplinary collaboration in mental health care

Collaborative Technology Use by Healthcare Teams

List of References

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About