Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the commonly shared operational components of rural based multisector health care alliances that have been in operation for more than five years. The aim of the study was to design an evidence-based solution or tool to help rural based multisector health care alliances (MHCA) improve operational efficiency and effectiveness leading to organizational sustainability. To achieve this, data were collected through semi-structured interviews of eight MHCA leaders which consisted of six females and two males from numerous geographical regions across the United States including the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Upper Midwest, Eastern Coastal South, and Rocky Mountain areas. Data were also collected through field notes and artifacts. Four main themes emerged from the data: 1. Services Provided by Multisector Health Care Alliances, 2. Business Operations of Multisector Health Care Alliances, 3. Adaptability of Multisector Health Care Alliances, and 4. Collaboration of Multisector Health Care Alliances. Fundamental to this process alliance leadership and their stakeholders will be able to assess and adapt those commonly shared operational components locally to increase the opportunity for robust alliances. An MHCA ChecklistTM for rural health network leaders was developed based on the information discovered in this study. |Keywords: Multisector Health Care Alliances, Rural, Health Care, Sustainability