Public-private partnerships: an evaluation of propositions for successful community coalitions

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate coalition members' perceptions of key coalition building propositions (i.e., leadership, communication and formal structures) as predictors of coalition success (i.e., improving community outcomes by reducing hospital readmission rates and improving coordination of patient care). Method: A survey was conducted and included a variety of coalition building propositions to measure coalition members' perceptions of coalition success. The survey questions related to leadership, communication and formal rules, structures and procedures were used for the purposes of hypothesis testing.Results: The relationship between the set of all independent variables (i.e., leadership, communication and formal rules, structures and procedures) and the coalition's effectiveness at improving the quality of care transitions in their community is statistically significant (p =.000) and a positive multiple correlation exists (.428). Conclusion: The findings revealed a positive but weak relationship between all but one of independent variables (i.e., leadership, communication, formal structures and procedures) and the coalition's perceived effectiveness at improving the quality of care transitions in their community. In contrast, there does not seem to be a relationship between any of the independent variables (controlling for the others) and coalition members' perceptions of effectiveness in reducing hospital readmission rates.