title: Effectiveness of a systematic approach to promote intersectoral collaboration in comprehensive school health promotion-a multiple-case study using quantitative and qualitative data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report on the longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data resulting from a two-year trajectory (2008-2011) based on the DIagnosis of Sustainable Collaboration (DISC) model. This trajectory aimed to support regional coordinators of comprehensive school health promotion (CSHP) in systematically developing change management and project management to establish intersectoral collaboration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multilevel analyses of quantitative data on the determinants of collaborations according to the DISC model were done, with 90 respondents (response 57 %) at pretest and 69 respondents (52 %) at posttest. Nvivo analyses of the qualitative data collected during the trajectory included minutes of monthly/bimonthly personal/telephone interviews (N = 65) with regional coordinators, and documents they produced about their activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quantitative data showed major improvements in change management and project management. There were also improvements in consensus development, commitment formation, formalization of the CSHP, and alignment of policies, although organizational problems within the collaboration increased. Content analyses of qualitative data identified five main management styles, including (1) facilitating active involvement of relevant parties; (2) informing collaborating parties; (3) controlling and (4) supporting their task accomplishment; and (5) coordinating the collaborative processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have contributed to the fundamental understanding of the development of intersectoral collaboration by combining qualitative and quantitative data. Our results support a systematic approach to intersectoral collaboration using the DISC model. They also suggest five main management styles to improve intersectoral collaboration in the initial stage. The outcomes are useful for health professionals involved in similar ventures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University, Peter Debyeplein 1a, Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, Netherlands. Katharina.pucher@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Katharina K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Pucher
authors.affiliation: Department of Methodology and Statistics, Maastricht University, Peter Debyeplein 1a, 6200 MD, Maastricht, Netherlands. math.candel@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Math J J M
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Candel
authors.affiliation: Department Department of Health, Ethics & Society, Maastricht University, Peter Debyeplein 1a, 6200 MD, Maastricht, Netherlands. a.krumeich@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krumeich
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Research, Nieuw Eyckholt 300, 6419 DJ , Heerlen, Netherlands. nicole.mwm.theunissen@zuyd.nl.
authors.forename: Nicole M W M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University, Peter Debyeplein 1a, Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, Netherlands. n.devries@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Nanne K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: De Vries
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D057766:Policy; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*