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Application of social network methods to assess collaboration in a National Research Partnership to improve the quality of Indigenous primary health care
Frances Clare Cunningham, Veronica Matthews, Anna Sheahan, Ross Bailie
Building: Holme Building
Room: MacCallum Room
Date: 2014-12-09 01:30 PM – 03:00 PM
Last modified: 2014-10-31
Abstract
Title: Application of social network methods to assess collaboration in a National Research Partnership to improve the quality of Indigenous primary health care
Aim:
To use social network (SN) methods to assess the functioning at two time points of a national research partnership formed to improve the quality of Indigenous primary health care (PHC).
Background:
The ABCD National Research Partnership was formed in mid-2010 as a collaboration to harness the the expertise, experiences and resources of community-controlled peak bodies, government and research organisations to improve the quality of Indigenous primary health care. An initial social network analysis (SNA) survey was conducted in early 2013, with a follow up survey in mid-2014, to assess the effectiveness of the Partnership in terms of its structure and its functioning in progressing PHC improvement.
Methods:
Network data were collected by means of a web-based survey tool (PARTNERtool) designed to assess measures such as cohesion, trust and communication among collaborations. In the two survey rounds, online surveys were emailed to one senior person of the organisations participating in the Partnership (2013: 14 organisations; 2014: 11 organisations).
Findings:
Network density and centrality scores show a well-connected Partnership spanning different organisational types and states/territories (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Far-West New South Wales). The high centrality scores reflect high connectivity between key hubs in the network, while the high trust scores demonstrate a high level of confidence in each other to openly participate and contribute towards the shared goal of improved Indigenous PHC. Network diagrams show key structural positions by organisational type, the frequency and intensity of interactions and the strengths and potential vulnerabilities in the Partnership network, with comparisons at two time points for the Partnership.
Conclusions:
SN methods applied standardised metrics to assess how well the Partnership was functioning as a collaborative three years into its operation, and in its fourth year. The use of these tools has assisted with monitoring the network over time to develop strategies to support connections between partners for sustaining collaborative learning.
Aim:
To use social network (SN) methods to assess the functioning at two time points of a national research partnership formed to improve the quality of Indigenous primary health care (PHC).
Background:
The ABCD National Research Partnership was formed in mid-2010 as a collaboration to harness the the expertise, experiences and resources of community-controlled peak bodies, government and research organisations to improve the quality of Indigenous primary health care. An initial social network analysis (SNA) survey was conducted in early 2013, with a follow up survey in mid-2014, to assess the effectiveness of the Partnership in terms of its structure and its functioning in progressing PHC improvement.
Methods:
Network data were collected by means of a web-based survey tool (PARTNERtool) designed to assess measures such as cohesion, trust and communication among collaborations. In the two survey rounds, online surveys were emailed to one senior person of the organisations participating in the Partnership (2013: 14 organisations; 2014: 11 organisations).
Findings:
Network density and centrality scores show a well-connected Partnership spanning different organisational types and states/territories (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Far-West New South Wales). The high centrality scores reflect high connectivity between key hubs in the network, while the high trust scores demonstrate a high level of confidence in each other to openly participate and contribute towards the shared goal of improved Indigenous PHC. Network diagrams show key structural positions by organisational type, the frequency and intensity of interactions and the strengths and potential vulnerabilities in the Partnership network, with comparisons at two time points for the Partnership.
Conclusions:
SN methods applied standardised metrics to assess how well the Partnership was functioning as a collaborative three years into its operation, and in its fourth year. The use of these tools has assisted with monitoring the network over time to develop strategies to support connections between partners for sustaining collaborative learning.