Table 6 Features of a model for consumer engagement in organisation-wide decision-making for resource allocation in a local health service
Domain | SHARE features |
|---|---|
Purpose â–ª descriptive, explanatory or predictive | The model is primarily descriptive to enable replication and testing. There are also some explanatory elements addressed in the relationships between components, for example all elements sit within the context of an organisation-wide program; integration of consumer views and preferences is relevant in all of the other components (governance, administration, resources, decision-making, implementation, evaluation and reinvestment). |
Development â–ª deductive or inductive â–ª supporting evidence | Methods used in development were both deductive and inductive. Evidence from the research literature and consultation with health service staff, consumers and community members was used. |
Theoretical underpinning â–ª explicit or implicit | No specific theory was used to underpin the model. |
Conceptual clarity â–ª well-described, coherent language for identification of elements â–ª strengths and weaknesses of theories â–ª potential to stimulate new theoretical developments | The model overlays the three categories of consumer engagement, Communication, Consultation and Participation, onto the components of organisational infrastructure for resource allocation. The relationships between them are captured in the diagram. Details are provided in the text and in tables. No specific theories were used so no comparisons are made. There is potential for new theoretical developments if: â–ª the model is applied for purposes other than resource allocation for TCPs â–ª the model is applied in settings other than local health service networks â–ª the utility and effectiveness of theories and/or interventions for consumer participation in decision-making are investigated in the settings proposed |
Level â–ª individual, team, unit, organisation, policy | The model was developed for organisation-wide implementation in a local health service network for resource allocation decisions. This approach could also be used at a higher (regional, state/provincial, national) or lower (single facility, department or unit) level. It is not designed for application in individual clinical decisions. |
Situation â–ª hypothetical, real | The model represents actual settings and contexts in health service decision-making and implementation of change. However it could also be used for teaching or capacity building through hypothetical classroom discussions or simulation exercises. |
Users â–ª nursing, medical, allied health, policy makers, multidisciplinary | The model can be used by any decision-makers within the health system. While use of the model could be initiated by any group, engagement and involvement of all relevant stakeholders is an underlying principle of application. The model could be used in policy, management, clinical or research contexts. |
Function â–ª barrier analysis â–ª intervention development â–ª selection of outcome measures â–ª process evaluation | The main function is to assist establishment of a consumer engagement program by representing a systematic approach to integration of consumer views and perspectives in organisation-wide decision-making infrastructure and identifying opportunities and methods for consumer engagement in resource allocation decisions. A secondary function is to enable replication and testing. |
Testable â–ª hypothesis generation â–ª supported by empirical data â–ª suitable for different methodologies | The model describes the components of organisational infrastructure for resource allocation and settings and opportunities for consumer engagement in this context. A range of hypotheses could be developed for each of these elements and the relationships between them which could be tested in a number of ways using various methodologies. |