Strengthening the evidence and action on multi-sectoral partnerships in public health: an action research initiative.
BACKGROUND
The Public Health Agency of Canada's Multi-sectoral Partnerships Initiative, administered by the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention (CCDP), brings together diverse partners to design, implement and advance innovative approaches for improving population health. This article describes the development and initial priorities of an action research project (a learning and improvement strategy) that aims to facilitate continuous improvement of the CCDP's partnership initiative and contribute to the evidence on multi-sectoral partnerships.


METHODS
The learning and improvement strategy for the CCDP's multi-sectoral partnership initiative was informed by (1) consultations with CCDP staff and senior management, and (2) a review of conceptual frameworks to do with multi-sectoral partnerships. Consultations explored the development of the multi-sectoral initiative, barriers and facilitators to success, and markers of effectiveness. Published and grey literature was reviewed using a systematic search strategy with findings synthesized using a narrative approach.


RESULTS
Consultations and the review highlighted the importance of understanding partnership impacts, developing a shared vision, implementing a shared measurement system and creating opportunities for knowledge exchange. With that in mind, we propose a six-component learning and improvement strategy that involves (1) prioritizing learning needs, (2) mapping needs to evidence, (3) using relevant data collection methods, (4) analyzing and synthesizing data, (5) feeding data back to CCDP staff and teams and (6) taking action. Initial learning needs include investigating partnership reach and the unanticipated effects of multi-sectoral partnerships for individuals, groups, organizations or communities.


CONCLUSIONS
While the CCDP is the primary audience for the learning and improvement strategy, it may prove useful for a range of audiences, including other government departments and external organizations interested in capturing and sharing new knowledge generated from multi-sectoral partnerships.
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.|Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.|School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
C D
CD
Willis
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
J K
JK
Greene
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
A
A
Abramowicz
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
B L
BL
Riley
D002170:Canada; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D055818:Public-Private Sector Partnerships
collaboration; continuous improvement; learning; multisectoral partnerships