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What are the reasons for clinical network success? A qualitative study
McInnes, Elizabeth C. Haines, Mary Dominello, Amanda Kalucy, Deanna Jammali-Blasi, Asmara Middleton, Sandy Klineberg, Emily
McInnes, Elizabeth C.
Haines, Mary
Dominello, Amanda
Kalucy, Deanna
Jammali-Blasi, Asmara
Middleton, Sandy
Klineberg, Emily
Abstract
Background
Clinical networks have been established to improve patient outcomes and processes of care by implementing a range of innovations and undertaking projects based on the needs of local health services. Given the significant investment in clinical networks internationally, it is important to assess their effectiveness and sustainability. This qualitative study investigated the views of stakeholders on the factors they thought were influential in terms of overall network success.
Method
Ten participants were interviewed using face-to-face, audio-recorded semi-structured interviews about critical factors for networks’ successes over the study period 2006–2008. Respondents were purposively selected from two stakeholder groups: i) chairs of networks during the study period of 2006–2008 from high- moderate- and low-impact networks (as previously determined by an independent review panel) and ii) experts in the clinical field of the network who had a connection to the network but who were not network members. Participants were blind to the performance of the network they were interviewed about. Transcribed data were coded and analysed to generate themes relating to the study aims.
Results
Themes relating to influential factors critical to network success were: network model principles; leadership; formal organisational structures and processes; nature of network projects; external relationships; profile and credibility of the network.
Conclusions
This study provides clinical networks with guidance on essential factors for maximising optimal network outcomes and that may assist networks to move from being a ’low-impact’ to ‘high-impact’ network. Important ingredients for successful clinical networks were visionary and strategic leadership with strong links to external stakeholders; and having formal infrastructure and processes to enable the development and management of work plans aligned with health priorities.
Keywords
clinical networks, outcomes, stakeholder views, qualitative
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
BMC Health Services Research
Book
Volume
15
Issue
497
Page Range
1-9
Article Number
Article 497
ACU Department
Nursing Research Institute
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open