title: Using linking systems to build capacity and enhance dissemination in heart health promotion: a Canadian multiple-case study.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the utility of linking systems between public health resource and user organizations for health promotion dissemination and capacity building, and to identify factors related to the success of linking systems. The design is a parallel-case study using key informant interviews and content analysis of project reports (synthesized qualitative and quantitative data) of three provincial dissemination projects of the Canadian Heart Health Initiative-Dissemination Phase. Each provincial project used linking activities with public health user groups including meetings, skill building, resources, collaboration, networking and research feedback to facilitate capacity building for and implementation of heart health promotion activities. This paper presents empirical examples of linking system designs, activities, and qualitative and quantitative changes in the public health user groups' health promotion capacity, program delivery and sustainability. The findings indicate enhanced health promotion skills, partnerships, resources, infrastructure, and increased programming and sustainability in the targeted public health organizations of all three provincial projects. Identified barriers to the success of linking systems included lack of appropriately skilled personnel, funds, buy-in and leadership. We conclude that linking systems can be flexibly used to build capacity and disseminate health promotion innovations, and suggest conditions for success.
authors.affiliation: School of Geography and Geology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. krobins@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: S Michelle
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Driedger
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eyles
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Loughlin
authors.forename: Barb
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Dexter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D009313:National Health Programs; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D015980:Public Health Practice