 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Laila Gulzar, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 6-101 WDH; 308 Harvard St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-2425, gulza002@umn.edu and Beverly Henry, PhD, RN, Weimar Institue of Health and Education, PO Box 486, Weimar, CA 95736.
The complexity of changing health care system fosters search for creative solutions in health care organizations, for providing accessible, quality care at an acceptable cost. It is shown that interorganizational collaboration (IOC) increases availability of organizational resources, improves service quality and efficiency, and improves access to health care. In Pakistan, weak health system infrastructure, including limited IOC, appear to contribute to inadequate access to health care. Many Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provide Primary Health Care to the most vulnerable: women and children. Varying degrees of IOC can be observed among NGOs, however, it has not been systematically studied. The purpose of this research was to improve the understanding of IOC among NGOs providing community based health services to women in Pakistan. A long-term goal was to provide a beginning basis for future research linking IOC to access to health care and continuity of care. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using a purposive sample of six NGOs. Data were collected using interviews, observation, and record reviews. Validity was strengthened through triangulation and use of an expert panel. Findings indicate that IOC is strongest when the conditions of willingness to cooperate, need for expertise, needs for funds, and need for adaptive efficiency are met. In a complex troubled environment, the higher the organizational formalization, the broad the extent of IOC. Greater IOC also appears to be positively associated with women's access to health care. In Pakistan, increased IOC can contribute towards improved organizational performance, better health care access, and continuity of care.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Collaboration, Access to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.