Status and control in voluntary community health planning groups

A field study was conducted to examine the relative control of provider and consumer members of HSA Project Review Committee. Three project review committees chosen at random during a single HSA review cycle were observed throughout the decision-making process using Interaction Process Analysis. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in control between the provider and consumer members when considered as subgroups of the review committees. Findings also confirm the critical role of the chairperson in the organization and function of the group. It can be concluded that the occupational prestige of provider or consumer members is not imported into the planning situation to a sufficient degree to allow either the provider or consumer subgroup to dominate the planning process. Innovations in health care planning such as long-term education in health planning, group processes, and related issues should be attempted to enhance the effectiveness of these groups.