The Use of Public-Private Partnerships in Quality Improvement in the Primary Care Services: A Description of Two Models [Internet]

Excerpt

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a strategy from The Norwegian authorities to support quality improvement in the health services. We have identified and described two partnership models in the primary care services: Community Care Network (CCN), and Primary Health Care Charter (the Charter).

The models have several characteristics in common, including:

1. The big potential of primary care services to improve the health of the population.

2. That all relevant stakeholders must work together in order to realize this potential.

3. System-wide improvements.

4. User involvement.

5. Anchoring within management and staff.

6. Measurements-/evaluation.

Findings from research and evaluation from other PPPs than the two models, support the importance of anchoring within management and staff, and measurements-/evaluation to succeed. The findings also show some other factors connected to success. Examples:

1. Clarification of roles and responsibilities, shared vision, common goals, trust, respect and good relations.

Findings from research and evaluation also show some challenges connected to PPPs. Examples:

1. Complexity related to leadership, culture and legislation, vague descriptions and unclear roles.

2. PPPs are not an easy way to success.

3. There is no ideal model that can be used for any partnership at all times.

4. Vision, goal and context are factors that should influence how a partnership is planned and implemented.

Keywords: Public-Private Sector Partnerships; Quality Improvement; Primary Health Care; Community Health Services.