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New ways to get policy into practice: A mixed-method participatory study of care coordination and street-level bureaucrats

Peter Nugus (McGill University, Montreal, Canada)
Geetha Ranmuthugala (University of New England, Armidale, Australia)
Josianne Lamothe (Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Canada)
David Greenfield (University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia)
Joanne Travaglia (University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Australia)
Kendall Kolne (McGill University, Montreal, Canada)
Julia Kryluk (McGill University, Montreal, Canada)
Jeffrey Braithwaite (Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia)

Journal of Health Organization and Management

ISSN: 1477-7266

Article publication date: 3 October 2018

Issue publication date: 9 October 2018

414

Abstract

Purpose

Health service effectiveness continues to be limited by misaligned objectives between policy makers and frontline clinicians. While capturing the discretion workers inevitably exercise, the concept of “street-level bureaucracy” has tended to artificially separate policy makers and workers. The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of social-organizational context in aligning policy with practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed-method participatory study focuses on a locally developed tool to implement an Australia-wide strategy to engage and respond to mental health services for parents with mental illness. Researchers: completed 69 client file audits; administered 64 staff surveys; conducted 24 interviews and focus groups (64 participants) with staff and a consumer representative; and observed eight staff meetings, in an acute and sub-acute mental health unit. Data were analyzed using content analysis, thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

Findings

Based on successes and shortcomings of the implementation (assessment completed for only 30 percent of clients), a model of integration is presented, distinguishing “assimilist” from “externalist” positions. These depend on the degree to which, and how, the work environment affords clinicians the setting to coordinate efforts to take account of clients’ personal and social needs. This was particularly so for allied health clinicians and nurses undertaking sub-acute rehabilitative-transitional work.

Originality/value

A new conceptualization of street-level bureaucracy is offered. Rather than as disconnected, it is a process of mutual influence among interdependent actors. This positioning can serve as a framework to evaluate how and under what circumstances discretion is appropriate, and to be supported by managers and policy makers to optimize client-defined needs.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the participants in this study and the Australian Research Council who funded this project. The funder had no influence on the direction of the findings, beyond desiring new knowledge to guide interprofessional policy, education and practice.

Citation

Nugus, P., Ranmuthugala, G., Lamothe, J., Greenfield, D., Travaglia, J., Kolne, K., Kryluk, J. and Braithwaite, J. (2018), "New ways to get policy into practice: A mixed-method participatory study of care coordination and street-level bureaucrats", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 32 No. 6, pp. 809-824. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-09-2017-0239

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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