Development of a framework for effective community engagement in Ontario, Canada.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to: (1) conceptualize effective community engagement (CE) within the Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) of Ontario, Canada, (2) develop an effective CE framework and (3) compare the CE framework to public engagement (PE) frameworks and assess their relevance to the LHIN context.


METHODS
We implemented "concept mapping," a participatory, mixed-methods approach, with LHIN staff. The method includes three components: (1) "Brainstorming" where participants generated statements describing effective CE; (2) "Sorting and Rating" where participants grouped statements and rated their relative importance to generate a "cluster map" and (3) "Mapping" where participants reviewed and named the clusters to yield the effective CE framework.


RESULTS
Staff generated a list of 64 statements. Participants reviewed the cluster map to generate six categories for the framework: (1) collaboration, (2) accessibility, (3) accountability, (4) education, (5) principles and (6) organizational capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
The effective CE framework overlaps with PE frameworks with two caveats. First, applications of PE evaluation frameworks to the LHINs may yield incomplete results given that partnerships with service providers and organizations are integral to CE strategies. Second, "organizational capacity," largely not captured within existing frameworks, must be integrated as a feature given that emerging research identifies its importance to the successful implementation of engagement strategies.
Jabbar
Amina M
AM
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. amina.jabbar@utoronto.ca
Abelson
Julia
J
D019058:Community Networks; D003210:Concept Formation; D006126:Group Processes; D009864:Ontario