Towards network and citizen: collaborative care for drug abusers.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Work
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Inter-organizational collaboration is increasingly used to coordinate client care in Sweden and globally.
• Limited knowledge exists regarding the developmental processes of inter-organizational collaboration over time.
• Effective collaboration is crucial for improving services for vulnerable populations, such as drug abusers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the development of inter-organizational collaboration in drug abuse care over a five-year period.
• To examine the effects of this collaboration on professionals' ways of working.
• To assess the impact of inter-organizational collaboration on services provided to clients.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal case study of the SANNA project (Collaborative Care for drug abusers) in Sweden.
• Analysis of how inter-organizational collaboration evolved over five years.
• Focus on the experiences and practices of professionals involved in the collaboration.

Main Results:

• Inter-organizational collaboration develops through three key processes: redefining areas of responsibility, reconstructing professional ways of working, and establishing a client-centered networking model.
• Professionals adapted their roles and methods to better serve clients within a collaborative framework.
• The SANNA project demonstrated a shift towards a more integrated and client-focused approach to drug abuse care.

Conclusions:

• Inter-organizational collaboration is a dynamic process requiring adaptation and redefinition of roles and practices.
• A client-centered networking model is essential for successful inter-organizational collaboration in social and healthcare services.
• The findings provide insights into fostering effective collaboration for improved client outcomes in specialized care settings.