Applying Social Network Analysis to Explore the Extent of Communication Interactions Between HIV Program and General Health Service Managers in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Kawonga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Health Service ◽  
General Health ◽  
Service Managers

scholarly journals Using social network analysis to examine inter-governmental relations in the implementation of the Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance programme in two South African provinces

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251472
Author(s):  
Immaculate Sabelile Muthathi ◽  
Mary Kawonga ◽  
Laetitia Charmaine Rispel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Ideal

Background Within the context of universal health coverage (UHC), South Africa has embarked on a series of health sector reforms. The implementation of the Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance (ICRM) programme is a major UHC reform. Cooperative governance is enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution, with health a concurrent competency of national and provincial government. Hence, effective inter-governmental relations (IGR) are essential for the ICRM programme implementation. Aim The aim of the study was to measure the cohesion of IGR, specifically consultation, support and information sharing, across national, provincial and local government health departments in the ICRM programme implementation. Materials and methods Using Provan and Milward’s theory on network effectiveness, this study was a whole network design social network analysis (SNA). The study was conducted in two districts in Gauteng (GP) and Mpumalanga (MP) provinces of South Africa. Following informed consent, we used both an interview schedule and a network matrix to collect the social network data from health policy actors in national, provincial and local government. We used UCINET version 6.619 to analyse the SNA data for the overall network cohesion and cohesion within and between the government spheres. Results The social network analysis revealed non-cohesive relationships between the different spheres of government. In both provinces, there was poor consultation in the ICRM programme implementation, illustrated by the low densities of seeking advice (GP = 15.6%; MP = 24.4%) and providing advice (GP = 14.1%; MP = 25.1%). The most cohesive relationships existed within the National Department of Health (density = 66.7%), suggesting that national policy actors sought advice from one another, rather than from the provincial health departments. A density of 2.1% in GP, and 12.5% in MP illustrated the latter. Conclusion The non-cohesive relationships amongst policy actors across government spheres should be addressed in order to realise the benefits of cooperative governance in implementing the ICRM programme.

scholarly journals Social network analysis as a strategy for monitoring the dissemination of information between hospitals

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco José Aragão Pedroza CUNHA ◽  
Núbia Moura RIBEIRO ◽  
Roberto Luiz Souza MONTEIRO ◽  
Hernane Borges de Barros PEREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Weak Interactions ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Diffusion Of Knowledge ◽  
Health Service Organizations

Abstract This article explores the structure of connections between the hospitals that are members of a hospital management innovation and learning network. This study was based on the assumption that there are limitations to encourage the communication and diffusion of knowledge between health service organizations if they are not effectively connected through social networks. Social Network Analysis was used as a strategy for monitoring the dissemination of information between hospitals. Theoretical concepts of diffusion of knowledge allowed emphasizing the role of the phenomena and communication and learning processes as the driving forces for health service innovation. The results showed weak interactions between hospitals and a lack of cohesion within the network. Therefore, there is a need for policies to promote the flow of data and information, which requires network openness to foster the exchange of innovative processes. Interactions between these hospitals in horizontal and disseminated structures have yet to be stimulated, established, incorporated, and developed by individuals, institutions and health service organizations.

Social network analysis for farmers' hearing services in a rural community

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Lower ◽  
Lyn Fragar ◽  
Julie Depcynzksi ◽  
Jeffrey Fuller ◽  
Kathy Challinor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Health Networks ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Farming Families

This study aimed to define current hearing health service networks for farming families in a major regional centre in New South Wales, in order to identify approaches that can strengthen local service provision. A pilot survey of individuals and agencies that potentially work with farmers was undertaken and a social network analysis completed to assess the self-reported links of agencies with each other. Thirteen agencies with a role in hearing health service provision participated with results indicating that nurse audiometrists, WorkCover NSW and agricultural retailers have the lead role in disseminating relevant information within the network. For client referrals the nurse audiometrist, private audiometry services, general practitioners, ear, nose and throat specialists and industry groups played the major roles. Social network analysis can assist in defining hearing health networks and can be used to highlight potential actions that can strengthen networks to enhance services for farmers and their families.

scholarly journals Initiatives and partnerships in an Australian metropolitan obesity prevention system: a social network analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krysten Blackford ◽  
Justine E. Leavy ◽  
Abbie-Clare Vidler ◽  
Dan Chamberlain ◽  
Christina Pollard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Survey Respondent ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Prevention System

Abstract Background Limited resources make prevention of complex population-level issues such as obesity increasingly challenging. Collaboration and partnerships between organisations operating in the same system can assist, however, there is a paucity of research into how relationships function at a local level. The aim of this study was to audit initiatives, explore networks, and identify potential opportunities for improving the obesity prevention system in a Health Service area of Western Australia (WA). Methods A mixed-methods study was undertaken in a metropolitan Health Service in Perth, WA in 2019–20. Structured face-to-face interviews (n = 51) were conducted with organisations engaged in obesity prevention, to identify prevention initiatives and their characteristics using a Systems Inventory tool. The Research Team identified the 30 most active organisations during the Systems Inventory, and an online Organisational Network Survey was administered to explore: relationships across six domains; partnership duration; frequency of interaction with other organisations; barriers to implementation; and key contributions to obesity prevention. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise barriers, contributions and Systems Inventory data. Organisational Network Survey data were analysed using social network analysis through UCINET 6 for Windows and Netdraw software. Whole network and cohesion scores were calculated: average degree; density; diameter; and degree centralization. Core-periphery analysis was conducted to identify densely connected core and sparsely connected periphery organisations. Results The Systems Inventory identified 189 unique prevention initiatives, mostly focusing on individual-level behaviour change. Fifty four percent (n = 15) of the Organisational Network Survey respondent organisations and most core organisations (67%, n = 8) were government. The information and knowledge sharing network had a density of 45% indicating a high level of information and knowledge exchange between organisations. The lowest densities were found within the receiving (3.3%), providing (5.5%) and sharing (5.6%) funding networks, suggesting that these formal relationships were the least established. Conclusion Applying a systems thinking lens to local obesity prevention revealed that initiatives conducted focused on individual-level behaviour change and that collaboration and communication between organisations focused on information sharing. Capturing the extent and nature of initiatives and the way partnerships operate to improve obesity prevention can help to identify opportunities to strengthen the networks.

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