Involving Citizens in Integrated Care. Lessons Learned Through Participatory Action Research in Three Communities in...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Systems Research
• Community Health
• Network Science

Background:

• Rising healthcare demands necessitate innovative alternative health system models.
• Community-involved, cross-domain networks are emerging as a potential solution.
• Understanding the development and sustainability of these networks is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the development process of community-involved, cross-domain networks.
• To identify factors that facilitate or hinder network growth and sustainability.

Main Methods:

• Participatory action research with purposive sampling of three diverse networks.
• Multi-methods approach including document analysis, observations, dialogue, and semi-structured interviews.
• Utilized the ESSA-framework (Exploring, Shaping, Strengthening, Anchoring) to track network progression.

Main Results:

• All studied networks advanced at least one phase within the ESSA-framework.
• Key facilitating factors included a shared sense of urgency, community, effective collaboration modes, defined roles, and diverse competencies.
• One network's progress was limited to interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Community-involved cross-domain network development is a complex, long-term process.
• Felt urgency, patience, perseverance, and early engagement of professionals and citizens are essential.
• Effective network leadership and change-agent skills are critical for driving development and sustainability.