Viewpoints about collaboration between primary care and public health in Canada

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Global health systems are increasingly integrating, yet collaboration between public health (PH) and primary care (PC) remains poorly understood.
• Key stakeholder values, beliefs, and attitudes towards PH and PC collaboration require exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the viewpoints of key stakeholders regarding primary care and public health collaboration in Canada.

Main Methods:

• Q-methodology was employed to identify common viewpoints among national stakeholders discussing PC and PH collaboration.
• A two-phase study involved developing a Q-sample and questionnaire, followed by data collection and factor analysis of Q-sorts.

Main Results:

• Three distinct factors emerged from the analysis of 25 multidisciplinary participants: "System Driven Collaborators," "Cautious Collaborators," and "Competent Isolationists."
• System Driven Collaborators emphasized the need for top-down mandates and policy support.
• Cautious Collaborators advocated for increased awareness of collaboration benefits and existing initiatives.
• Competent Isolationists highlighted the importance of role clarity and inter-professional education.

Conclusions:

• Diverse stakeholder viewpoints significantly influence the success of PC and PH collaborations.
• Effective change management requires understanding and addressing these differing perspectives to build and sustain strong collaborations.