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How U.S. children's hospitals define population health: a qualitative, interview-based study
Daniel Skinner1, Berkeley Franz2, Matthew Taylor3
1Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University, 6775 Bobcat Way, MEB1-452, Dublin, OH, 43016, USA.
BMC Health Services Research
|June 27, 2018
Summary
Children's hospitals define population health broadly, encompassing both public health and population health management. Ongoing debates highlight the need for clearer definitions to effectively address social determinants of health.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Public Health Initiatives
- Pediatric Health Services
Background:
- Adult hospitals are implementing population health programs, yet definitions remain ambiguous, distinguishing between social determinants of health and patient population management.
- U.S. children's hospitals also engage in population health initiatives, but their specific definitions and approaches are less understood.
- Existing literature indicates a lack of consensus on the scope and objectives of population health programs within healthcare institutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how U.S. children's hospitals define population health.
- To understand how these institutions are adapting to emerging preventive healthcare models.
- To explore the definitional nuances and strategic focus of population health efforts in pediatric settings.
Main Methods:
- Conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders at ten leading children's hospitals.
- Utilized a semi-structured interview guide to gather in-depth insights.
- Analyzed verbatim interview notes using Dedoose software with a modified constructivist grounded theory approach.
Main Results:
- Children's hospitals employ diverse strategies that integrate population health management and public health principles.
- Evidence indicates active deliberation within children's hospitals regarding the definition and primary focus of population health.
- Innovators in population health demonstrate varied approaches, reflecting the dynamic nature of the field.
Conclusions:
- Definitional ambiguity persists even among children's hospitals heavily invested in population health.
- Clarifying the conceptual distinctions between population health and population health management is crucial for distinct long-term healthcare visions.
- Agreement on population health definitions is essential for evaluating the impact of social determinants of health interventions on population well-being.