title: Unravelling the concept of integrated public health policy: Concept mapping with Dutch experts from science, policy, and practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While expectations of integrated public health policy (IPHP) promoting public health are high, assessment is hampered by the concept's ambiguity. This paper aims to contribute to conceptual clarification of IPHP as first step in further measurement development.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an online concept mapping procedure, we invited 237 Dutch experts, 62 of whom generated statements on characteristics of IPHP. Next, 100 experts were invited, 24 of whom sorted the statements into piles according to their perceived similarity and rated the statements on relevance and measurability. Data was analyzed using concept mapping software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concept map consisted of 97 statements, grouped into 11 clusters and five themes. Core themes were 'integration', concerning 'policy coherence' and 'organizing connections', and 'health', concerning 'positioning health' and 'addressing determinants'. Peripheral themes were 'generic aspects', 'capacities', and 'goals and setting', which respectively addressed general notions of integrated policy making, conditions for IPHP, and the variety in manifestations of IPHP. Measurability ratings were low compared to relevance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concept map gives an overview of interrelated themes, distinguishes core from peripheral dimensions, and provides pointers for theories of the policy process. While low measurability ratings indicate measurement difficulties, the core themes provide pointers for systematic insight into IPHP through measurement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.tubbing@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Luuk
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tubbing
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Janneke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harting
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stronks
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D009426:Netherlands; D011050:Policy Making; D011634:Public Health; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012984:Software
keywords: Concept mapping; Health in all policies; Healthy public policy; Integrated public health policy; Intersectoral action for health