Why are models for collaboration so confusing and difficult? Perceptions by health and social care professionals on developing and implementing models for collaboration

Abstract

Introduction: Many situations in health and social care require collaboration to ensure seamless and good care with the person in focus. However, collaboration can be a difficult and confusing process. Hence, organizations often support it by developing and implementing models for collaboration. Aim: This study aimed to explore health and social care professionals’ perceptions of collaboration models, as well as what difficulties they perceived in developing and implementing them in a municipality. Method: Data was collected in a Swedish municipality, through mainly interviews with participating professionals and analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: The professionals’ responses illustrated variations in perceptions of what constitutes a collaboration model (i.e. core values, a framework, a process, or a function) and why collaboration models are needed (i.e. for the good of the resident, for the good of the organization, or for the good of society). Furthermore, several perceived difficulties in developing and implementing collaboration models were captured. Conclusion: The varied perceptions of collaboration models, together with the captured difficulties, help explain why models for collaboration are seen as confusing and difficult to develop and implement. This study can increase healthcare managements’ understanding of the complexity of collaboration models and assist future development and implementation.