Implementing Health Policy: Lessons from the Scottish Well Men's Policy Initiative.
Authors: Douglas, F., van Teijlingen, E., Smith, C. and Moffat, M.
Journal: AIMS Public Health
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Pages: 887-905
ISSN: 2327-8994
DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2015.4.887
Abstract:BACKGROUND: Little is known about how health professionals translate national government health policy directives into action. This paper examines that process using the so-called Well Men's Services (WMS) policy initiative as a 'real world' case study. The WMS were launched by the Scottish Government to address men's health inequalities. Our analysis aimed to develop a deeper understanding of policy implementation as it naturally occurred, used an analytical framework that was developed to reflect the 'rational planning' principles health professionals are commonly encouraged to use for implementation purposes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A mixed-methods qualitative enquiry using a data archive generated during the WMS policy evaluation was used to critically analyze (post hoc) the perspectives of national policy makers, and local health and social care professionals about the: (a) 'policy problem', (b) interventions intended to address the problem, and (c) anticipated policy outcomes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This analysis revealed four key themes: (1) ambiguity regarding the policy problem and means of intervention; (2) behavioral framing of the policy problem and intervention; (3) uncertainty about the policy evidence base and outcomes, and; (4) a focus on intervention as outcome. This study found that mechanistic planning heuristics (as a means of supporting implementation) fails to grapple with the indeterminate nature of population health problems. A new approach to planning and implementing public health interventions is required that recognises the complex and political nature of health problems; the inevitability of imperfect and contested evidence regarding intervention, and, future associated uncertainties.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35428/
Source: PubMed
Implementing Health Policy: Lessons from the Scottish Well Men's Policy Initiative
Authors: Douglas, F., van Teijlingen, E., Smith, C. and Moffat, M.
Journal: AIMS PUBLIC HEALTH
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Pages: 887-905
ISSN: 2327-8994
DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2015.4.887
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35428/
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
Implementing Health Policy: Lessons from the Scottish Well Men's Policy Initiative.
Authors: Douglas, F., van Teijlingen, E., Smith, C. and Moffat, M.
Journal: AIMS public health
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Pages: 887-905
eISSN: 2327-8994
ISSN: 2327-8994
DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2015.4.887
Abstract:Background
Little is known about how health professionals translate national government health policy directives into action. This paper examines that process using the so-called Well Men's Services (WMS) policy initiative as a 'real world' case study. The WMS were launched by the Scottish Government to address men's health inequalities. Our analysis aimed to develop a deeper understanding of policy implementation as it naturally occurred, used an analytical framework that was developed to reflect the 'rational planning' principles health professionals are commonly encouraged to use for implementation purposes.Methods and materials
A mixed-methods qualitative enquiry using a data archive generated during the WMS policy evaluation was used to critically analyze (post hoc) the perspectives of national policy makers, and local health and social care professionals about the: (a) 'policy problem', (b) interventions intended to address the problem, and (c) anticipated policy outcomes.Results and conclusions
This analysis revealed four key themes: (1) ambiguity regarding the policy problem and means of intervention; (2) behavioral framing of the policy problem and intervention; (3) uncertainty about the policy evidence base and outcomes, and; (4) a focus on intervention as outcome. This study found that mechanistic planning heuristics (as a means of supporting implementation) fails to grapple with the indeterminate nature of population health problems. A new approach to planning and implementing public health interventions is required that recognises the complex and political nature of health problems; the inevitability of imperfect and contested evidence regarding intervention, and, future associated uncertainties.https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35428/
Source: Europe PubMed Central
Implementing Health Policy: Lessons from the Scottish Well Men's Policy Initiative.
Authors: Douglas, F., van Teijlingen, E., Smith, C. and Moffat, M.
Journal: AIMS Public Health
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Pages: 887-905
ISSN: 2327-8994
Abstract:Background: Little is known about how health professionals translate national government health policy directives into action. This paper examines that process using the so-called Well Men's Services (WMS) policy initiative as a 'real world' case study. The WMS were launched by the Scottish Government to address men's health inequalities. Our analysis aimed to develop a deeper understanding of policy implementation as it naturally occurred, used an analytical framework that was developed to reflect the 'rational planning' principles health professionals are commonly encouraged to use for implementation purposes. Methods and materials: A mixed-methods qualitative enquiry using a data archive generated during the WMS policy evaluation was used to critically analyze (post hoc) the perspectives of national policy makers, and local health and social care professionals about the: (a) 'policy problem', (b) interventions intended to address the problem, and (c) anticipated policy outcomes. Results and conclusions: This analysis revealed four key themes: (1) ambiguity regarding the policy problem and means of intervention; (2) behavioral framing of the policy problem and intervention; (3) uncertainty about the policy evidence base and outcomes, and; (4) a focus on intervention as outcome. This study found that mechanistic planning heuristics (as a means of supporting implementation) fails to grapple with the indeterminate nature of population health problems. A new approach to planning and implementing public health interventions is required that recognises the complex and political nature of health problems; the inevitability of imperfect and contested evidence regarding intervention, and, future associated uncertainties.
https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/35428/
Source: BURO EPrints