Partnership lessons from the Global Programme for Health Promotion Effectiveness: a case study

Area of Science:

• Health Promotion
• Collaborative Functioning
• Systems Modeling

Background:

• Effective health promotion relies on collaboration, yet many partnerships fail.
• Understanding factors that inhibit or promote synergistic outcomes in collaborations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors and processes that promote or inhibit synergistic outcomes in health promotion collaborations.
• To develop a model of collaborative functioning based on empirical findings.

Main Methods:

• A case study of the Global Programme for Health Promotion Effectiveness (GPHPE) was conducted.
• Data were collected through interviews with 20 GPHPE participants and analysis of program documentation.
• A systems model approach (input, throughput, output) was used.

Main Results:

• The GPHPE's mission to disseminate evidence was a key input affecting functioning.
• Positive and negative interaction cycles were identified, impacting sustainability and outcomes.
• A new output construct, 'antagony' (unwanted outcomes), was introduced alongside synergy and additive results.

Conclusions:

• The Bergen Model of Collaborative Functioning was developed, incorporating mission as input, interaction cycles, and 'antagony' as outputs.
• The model offers a framework for understanding and improving collaborative processes in health promotion.
• Further research is testing the model's applicability to diverse collaborative settings.