title: [Diagnostic tool for action in partnerships: foundation, development and validation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intervening on social determinants of health requires that public health stakeholders enter into intersectoral partnerships. The lack of valid tools to evaluate the quality of partnerships is a significant constraint to formulating convincing arguments for this kind of action. In light of this shortcoming, the tool described in this article evaluates processes of collective action based on key aspects of its effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tool is based on a theoretical model that followed from case studies identifying the conditions associated with quality of partnerships. The tool was developed by operationalizing these conditions into a series of statements, and pretested using the cognitive interviewing method. Construct validity and ecological validity were verified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tool includes 18 items, with 3 answer choices provided for each item. It is sensitive to variations in judgement. It allows for good convergence among respondents from participating organizations within a partnership; it can also distinguish between partnerships that have difficulty meeting certain conditions and those that do not. The tool is suitable for self-evaluation of partnerships engaged in common projects that involve more than information exchange.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tool's validity resides in its validation procedure and in the basic soundness of its theoretical model, which is supported by a number of literature reviews on how partnerships function and their results.
authors.affiliation: Ecole de santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC. abilodea@santepub-mtl.qc.ca
authors.forename: Angèle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilodeau
authors.forename: Marilène
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galarneau
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Potvin
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011634:Public Health; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires