The Organizational Risks Of Cross-Sector Partnerships: A Comparison Of Health And Human Services Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Cross-sector partnerships are crucial for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH).
• Organizational decision-makers' perceptions of risk significantly impact the success of these collaborations.
• Understanding these perceptions is vital for effective partnership design and implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the factors health and human services leaders consider when entering collaborative opportunities.
• To identify the risks and concerns leaders associate with cross-sector partnerships aimed at addressing SDOH.
• To understand how risk perceptions differ across sectors and influence partnership dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative insights were gathered from leaders at 22 health and human services organizations in Oregon.
• Participants were involved in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Accountable Health Communities initiative.
• Focus was on leaders familiar with local health system efforts to address unmet social needs and refer individuals to community programs.

Main Results:

• Leaders perceived collaboration risks related to reputation, sustainability, and regulatory/funder compliance.
• Challenges were noted in assessing partner reliability, with some perceived as competitive or coercive.
• Risk perceptions varied significantly between health and human services sectors.

Conclusions:

• Differential risk perceptions across sectors have critical implications for designing, implementing, and governing cross-sector initiatives.
• Addressing these varied risk perceptions is essential for fostering trust and ensuring the success of SDOH collaborations.
• Future initiatives should consider sector-specific risk assessments to improve partnership outcomes.