title: Improving collaboration between public health and family health teams in Ontario.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify and explore areas where responsibilities may overlap between family health teams (FHTs) and public health units (PHUs); to identify facilitators or barriers to collaboration; and to identify priority areas for increased collaboration. DESIGN AND CONTEXT: Cross-sectional mixed-methods study of FHTs and PHUs in Ontario, Canada, consisting of a postal survey, key informant interviews and a roundtable meeting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey response rate was 46%. Direct client-based services such as giving immunizations, promoting prenatal health and nutrition, and counselling related to smoking cessation were identified as the top three areas of perceived overlap. The greatest interest in collaboration was expressed in the areas of emergency planning and preparedness, immunization, and prenatal health and nutrition. Good communication with a clear understanding of roles and functions was the most important facilitator, and lack of resources and absence of a clear provincial mandate and direction to collaborate were identified as significant barriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small, simple client-based projects of interest to both kinds of organization would be the best way to move forward in the short term. Improving communication between FHTs and PHUs, understanding of roles and functions, the use of shared or interoperable information systems and greater clarity from government on the ways in which these two key sectors of the healthcare system are intended to work together were identified as important for the success of increased collaboration.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. michael.green@dfm.queensu.ca
authors: Michael E
authors: ME
authors: Green
authors: Erica
authors: E
authors: Weir
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Hogg
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Etches
authors: Kieran
authors: K
authors: Moore
authors: Duncan
authors: D
authors: Hunter
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Birtwhistle
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009864:Ontario; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration
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