Factors that influence evidence-informed meso-level regional primary health care planning: a qualitative examination and conceptual framework

Abstract

Background: Evidence-informed primary health care (PHC) planning in decentralised, meso-level regional organisations has received little research attention. In this paper we examine the factors that infuence planning within this environment, and present a conceptual framework. Methods: We employed mixed methods: case studies of fve Australian Primary Health Networks (PHNs), involving 29 primary interviews and secondary analysis of 38 prior interviews; and analysis of planning documents from all 31 PHNs. The analysis was informed by a WHO framework of evidence-informed policy-making, and institutional theory. Results: Infuential actors included federal and state/territory governments, Local Health Networks, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, local councils, public hospitals, community health services, and providers of allied health, mental health and aged care services. The federal government was most infuential, constraining PHNs’ planning scope, time and funding. Other external factors included: the health service landscape; local sociodemographic and geographic characteristics; (neoliberal) ideology; interests and politics; national policy settings and reforms; and system reorganisation. Internal factors included: organisational structure; culture, values and ideology; various capacity factors; planning processes; transition history; and experience. The additional regional layer of context adds to the complexity of planning. Conclusions: Like national health policy-making, meso-level PHC planning occurs in a complex environment, but with additional regional factors and infuences. We have developed a conceptual framework of the meso-level PHC planning environment, which can be employed by similar regional organisations to elucidate infuential factors, and develop strategies and tools to promote transparent, evidence-informed PHC planning for better health outcomes.