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Maturing Into High-Functioning Health-Care Coalitions: A Qualitative Nationwide Study of Emergency Preparedness and Response Leadership

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2022

Angelica E. Koch Open the ORCID record for Angelica E. Koch [Opens in a new window] ,
Joseph Bohn ,
Jaime A. Corvin  and
Judy Seaberg
Angelica E. Koch*
Affiliation:
Minnesota Department of Health - Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN, USA College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
Joseph Bohn
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
Jaime A. Corvin
Affiliation:
College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
Judy Seaberg
Affiliation:
Minnesota Department of Health - Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, MN, USA
*
Corresponding author: Angelica E. Koch, Email: koch.angelica@gmail.com.
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Abstract

Objective:

Health-Care Coalitions (HCCs) provide an important emergency response safety net function across the United States in preparedness and responses to disasters. A key challenge is the variation in the maturity and operational readiness of HCCs. The purpose of this study was to identify key tenets that define high-functioning HCCs and help mature HCCs into a higher-functioning state of operations.

Methods:

This was a qualitative study based on grounded theory methodology using semi-structured interviews for data collection and thematic analysis. Participants were stakeholders (n = 39) of HCCs from across the United States at local, state, and federal levels.

Results:

Through an institutional logics lens, the 3 key attributes for high functioning-HCCs were identified as (1) having an established and growing partnership, (2) being value-driven culture, and (3) being response ready. In addition, 3 logics were deemed essential for guiding HCCs: sources of governance, sources of partner engagement, and sources of sustainability. Participant responses describe the importance of these attributes and logics in influencing decision-making processes, supporting a community’s resilience during a disaster, and fostering robust relationships among community partners.

Conclusions:

Addressing these attributes and logics in planning and management of HCCs can help establish the foundation for partner collaborations and high-functioning HCCs.

Keywords

Health-Care Coalitionemergency preparedness and responseinstitutional logicshigh functioning
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e111
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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