Exploring intersectoral collaboration in diabetes care: A positioning theoretical perspective.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Public Health
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Intersectoral collaboration (IC) is vital for managing type 2 diabetes (DM2).
• DM2 care spans primary and specialist settings, requiring coordination among diverse healthcare actors.
• Understanding the roles within IC is essential for effective diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the roles of various actors within intersectoral collaboration for type 2 diabetes care.
• To reveal embedded understandings of these roles using positioning theory.
• To analyze how role perceptions influence the development of IC in DM2 management.

Main Methods:

• Application of positioning theory framework.
• Data collection through individual and focus group interviews.
• Qualitative analysis of empirical data from healthcare professionals, patients, managers, and relatives.

Main Results:

• Naturalized understandings of actor roles significantly impact IC development.
• Health professionals, patients, managers, and relatives' perceptions of roles shape collaborative efforts.
• These interactions influence the guidance and support provided to patients living with DM2.

Conclusions:

• Acknowledging and understanding the nuanced roles within IC is critical for improving diabetes care delivery.
• Positioning theory provides a valuable lens for examining actor dynamics in intersectoral healthcare initiatives.
• Effective IC requires alignment of perceived roles to better support patients with type 2 diabetes.