Implementing Covid-19 surveillance through inter-organizational coordination

A qualitative study of three cities in Colombia

Bibliographic Data

ID15126945
AuthorsSimon Turner (0000-0002-1801-8351, School of Management, University of los Andes, Edificio SD, Cl. 21 #1–20, Bogotá, Colombia, corresponding author), Carolina Segura (0009-0000-0222-1016, School of Management, University of los Andes, Edificio SD, Cl. 21 #1–20, Bogotá, Colombia), Natalia Niño Machado (0000-0001-7887-9439, Universidad de los Andes), Natalia Niño (School of Medicine, University of los Andes, Carrera 1 No 18 A - 10, Bloque Q Piso 8, Bogotá, Colombia)
Year2022
Volume37
Issue2
Pages232-242
Publication date2022-02-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Policy and Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0268-1080 • E-ISSN: 1460-2237
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/heapol/czab145
PMID34875065
OpenAlexW4200520946
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited47

Introducing comprehensive surveillance is recommended as an urgent public health measure to control and mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide. However, its implementation has proven challenging as it requires inter-organizational coordination among multiple healthcare stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of soft and hard mechanisms in the implementation of inter-organizational coordination strategies for COVID-19 surveillance within Colombia, drawing on evidence from the cities of Bogotá, Cali and Cartagena. The study used a case study approach to understand the perspectives of local and national authorities, insurance companies and health providers in the implementation of inter-organizational coordination strategies for COVID-19 surveillance. Eighty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted between June and November 2020. The data were analysed by codes and categorized using New NVivo software. The study identified inter-organizational coordination strategies that were implemented to provide COVID-19 surveillance in the three cities. Both soft (e.g. trust and shared purpose) and hard mechanisms (e.g. formal agreements and regulations) acted as mediators for collaboration and helped to address existing structural barriers in the provision of health services. The findings suggest that soft and hard mechanisms contributed to promoting change among healthcare system stakeholders and improved inter-organizational coordination for disease surveillance. The findings contribute to evidence regarding practices to improve coordinated surveillance of disease, including the roles of new forms of financing and contracting between insurers and public and private health service providers, logistics regarding early diagnosis in infectious disease and the provision of health services at the community level regardless of insurance affiliation. Our research provides evidence to improve disease surveillance frameworks in fragmented health systems contributing to public health planning and health system improvement

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Business · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Economic growth · Economics · Outbreak · Political science · Qualitative research · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) · Sociology · Communication and COVID-19 Impact · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Medicine · Virology

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