Table 1 Themes identified in interviews asking MCOs and CBOs about their purposes for and uses of data in programming

Collecting data on patient needs

Usefulness: nearly all MCOs and CBOs recognized value in using data to identify patient needs and determine which needs to meet first

The degree to which this was done: all MCOs did this, only some CBOs formally used data to screen for needs; MCOs did this more frequently and comprehensively

Importance: MCOs

highly valued data screening metrics for identifying patient needs. CBO responses had variability in the importance of using data to screen for needs

Using data to support case management

Usefulness: all MCOs and most CBOs saw value in data systems identifying resources available, tracking referrals and follow-ups, keeping notes, and staying in contact with patients

Data analytic capacity: variability in the sophistication of the data systems, such that most MCOs used data analytics to case manage (few CBOs did this)

Variety of data systems and platforms: MCOs and CBOs are invested in the system(s) they utilize but the systems do not communicate

Using data to evaluate the effectiveness of programs

Financial motivation: all MCOs use data to determine the financial impact/effectiveness of programs, only some CBOs relate data-driven evaluation to funding (usually to gain funding, not keep it)

Financial: CBOs’ lower level of enthusiasm for/ability to use data creates difficulty for MCOs when they rely on CBOs for data to justify their funding streams

Ideological differences about whether data can be used to evaluate effectiveness: MCOs see data-driven evaluation as essential, but some CBOs feel that data hurts them in the metrics

Motivation for partnership: MCOs don’t want to work with CBOs on the basis of vision alone – they want to see evidence/data backing up the effectiveness of the program; CBOs feel pressure from MCOs to produce data to justify investment

Capacity: CBOs may be more reluctant or less able to use data to evaluate programs due lack of resources (technological and workforce capacity)

Using data to partner with other MCOs and CBOs

All MCO interviewees acknowledged that CBOs are doing good work, even if that cannot be quantified, and the ability to share that data is often related to CBO capacity and resources

Practical interfacing difficulty: MCO data systems tend to be more sophisticated than CBO data systems, and CBO systems don’t have the capacity to interface with MCO systems

Privacy and ownership concerns: MCOs ask CBOs to share data with them but MCOs don’t share data in return, CBOs highly value patient data confidentiality even from MCOs