title: Collaboration between local public health and community mental health agencies.
abstract: Public health agencies (PHA) and community mental health agencies (CMHA) generally are organizationally and functionally autonomous. Collaboration between PHA and CMHA was explored in a statewide survey of nursing directors of PHA (n = 135) and executive directors of CMHA (n = 214). Findings indicated staff did not know each other well; clients, funds, and information were infrequently exchanged; public health nurses rarely were included in planning for the care of those with mental illness; and satisfaction with relationships was minimal. Path analysis was used to test an interagency collaboration model. Awareness of staff from other agencies increased satisfaction with interagency processes and interagency relationships.
authors.affiliation: Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus 43210, USA.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Polivka
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaudry
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009820:Ohio; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires