Community and Interagency Working in Public Health - Essay Example

?Community and Interagency Working in Public Health Introduction Interagency interaction between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, government department, community members and families members have in the recent past turned out to be a gold-standard in the formulation and implementation of public policies and services. This is especially the case in public health system where government agencies, healthcare professionals, community workers and the public are systematically involved in the formulation and implementation of strategies and policies that are aimed at improving community health. Interagency strategies have as well proved to be extremely effective in enhancing teamwork and efficiency (Sloper, 2004, p. 574). Interagency initiatives have played a very critical role in reducing duplication of activities and services in the community. In addition, different organisations employ different strategies with an aim of ensuring that the set interagency interactions have met its intended goal and objectives. Interagency interaction is the entire process in which different entities come together in solving a specific health problem in the society (Indecon, 2008, p.92). Although different entities define a specific problem in different ways, dissimilar entities explore their differences in search for an inclusive solution to the identified problem. The subsequent will therefore explore different strategies that are employed by different agencies to develop and strengthen interagency interaction in health and community context. Literature Review Domestic violence has been on a rise in the recent decades. The increased challenges in families are brought about by increased civilisation and technological developments. By referring to the available statistical information, cases of domestic violence have increased by 15% in the last years. Therefore professionals have instituted various mechanism and approaches of dealing with this social problem. In most instances, professionals who institute interagency interaction employ normative approach in developing and strengthening the instituted inventions on domestic violence. In this kind of interaction, professionals from different professional and social backgrounds identify the most effective means of solving the identified family challenge (Halsy, Gulliver, Johnson, Martin, and Kinder, 2005, p. 97). Therefore, in utilising normative approach, healthcare professionals and other social practitioners employs organisational theory to understand professional principles and behaviours of all involved professionals. In understanding professional behaviours, the involved players outline some of the most effective means that can be used by different professionals in responding to external and internal stimuli that leads to domestic conflict. Although largely the approach is effective, the process of implementing normative approach in solving family issues encounters consistent challenges and complications. Professional status, self-interest, nature of the proposed policy environment forces, and autonomy are some of the key challenges that face the process of implementing normative approach. In using normative approach to institute inter-agency interaction, the involved players distinguish community program that are essential in policymaking process and issue network (Allnock, Akhurst, Tunstill, and NESS Research Team 2006, p. 89). This therefore means that, with effective implementation of normative approach, healthcare professionals, social practitioners, and community members understands the causes of domestic violence in the community and develops effective means of dealing with the problem. In most cases, professionals who utilises normative approach relies on conflict theory to identify the community health problem that serves as useful aspects of collaboration as opposed to being an indicator of dysfunction (Lindley, 2005, P. 93). Professional role approach has in the recent decades emerged as an effective means of instituting and strengthening interagency interaction. As described by this approach, professionals’ actions and behaviours are largely defined and described by profession internal and external expectations. The manner in which professionals interact in any family interaction is described by professionals’ roles social, sanctions, and rewards as well as societal norms and values. Therefore, in order to create an effective and productive inter-agency interaction, professionals ought to understand their professionals’ values as well as ethical principles that guide the practices and activities of other professionals (Atkinson, Wilkin, Stott, Doherty and Kinder, 2002, p.79). Through understanding of social expectation of all professionals that are involved in solving the identified family problem, the involved player forms a very effective and efficient interagency interaction. The understanding of every professional social and ethical professional enhances the formation of an effective and productive team. The professional role approach as well helps in the identification of means of solving conflicts and confusions across agencies and practitioners. The approach also creates an avenue for expansive learning and interaction. However, despite reporting endless benefits, the process of understanding values and principles is very complicated and challenging. Moreover, instituting an effective dialogue between practitioners from different professional background is also a complicated and a challenging process (Lloyd, Stead and Kendrick, 2009, p.93). Craftsmanship approach has as well proved to be very effective in enhancing the development of an effective and a strong interagency interaction in solving family problem. The inventors of this models states that, interagency interaction should be constructed in a similar manner to building a house (Stokes 2000, p. 93). In this case, effective inter-agency interaction requires skilled and competence professionals, high quality resources, good and practical planning as well as effective and consistent consultation and interaction process. Formulation of an effective interaction between different agencies in health sector should involve communication between professionals who have quality skills and competence. Professionals in interagency should as well have the ability and skills of effecting their plans against potential and actual environmental forces, political influence and personnel turnovers. Therefore, in utilising Craftsmanship approach, consistent communication and interaction is very essential and paramount. Accountability, teamwork, and transparency is also very essential in this process (Bertram, Pascal, Bokhari, Gasper, Holterman, John, and Nelson 2002, p. 97) Despite having different strategies of forming an effective and productive interagency interaction in public health, many professionals opt to utilise various approaches. The aim of integrating different approaches in the formulation of an effective and conflict free interagency entity is to facilitate teamwork (Atkinson, Kinder and Doherty, 2003, p. 79). Communication is therefore a very essential aspect that leads to the formation of an effective interagency group in public health. Moreover, the understanding of professional and social expectations of all players is also effective in forming a strong interagency entity. Definition of the role and responsibility of every player have also proved to be every effective in formulating an effective and a strong professional group (Walsh, Craig, and McCarthy1998, p. 67). The understanding of the identified health problem from different perception also plays an essential role in aiding the identification of an effective solution to the problem. Therefore, based on the available information, employment of various strategies in forming a strong interagency group in public health is very essential and critical (McInnes, 2009. p. 89). Action Plan for dealing with increased cases of domestic violence Introduction The international organisation for domestic conflict resolution has instituted an initiative of solving domestic conflict in United States of America. The initiative aims at identifying the cause of the problem and identifying the most appropriate measures of solving the problem. The initiative will involve professionals from various backgrounds including social workers, psychologists and community healthcare professionals. The importance of the action plan The plan aims at identifying the cause of increased cases in United States of America. The plan as well aims at identifying the most effective measures to deal with the increased cases of domestic violence. Rationale The choice of this action plan is based on the assumption that, domestic violence is not only a social problem but also a health problem. Therefore, the identification of a policy that includes several professionals is very critical and essential in holistically solving the problem. Objective The plan aims at reducing significantly cases of domestic violence in United States of America. The plan also aims at identifying a lasting solution to the problem. First stage: Mutual co-operation Mutual co-operation is the initial stage in the formulation of an effective interagency interaction in public health. In addressing cases of domestic violence in a community, community members and other professionals come together in this stage to understand the cause and the nature of the problem. In this stage, healthcare professionals social workers, government agencies, teachers, and community members come together to set a common vision for the interaction. It is also at this stage that the involved players describe their role in the project (Cullen 1997, P. 27). Profession ethical principles and social expectation for every player also forms part of the discussion in this stage. It is also at this stage that the involved professionals institute rules and regulations that, guide their activities and actions in the group. The role of every player in the group will also be described in this stage (Shortall, 1994, P.233). Second stage: Shared Responsibility The second stage is very essential in the formulation of an effective and productive interagency interaction that seeks to address domestic violence in the society. In this level, the focus shifts from individual to individual interaction to individual to organisation interaction. Participants in this stage are therefore expected to discuss the organization role and responsibility in addressing domestic violence challenge in the identified community. In this stage, community members and professionals try to define the role and responsibility of every player in the interaction. The contribution of the involved entities is also clearly defined in this stage. The aim of this stage is to identify the involved professionals and agencies. This stage is also used to define the role and responsibility of all agencies and institutions. Despite identifying the role and responsibility of every player, this stage is also used to classify the most effective means of solving emerging and potential conflicts and challenges. The involved agencies also use this stage to organise the proposed collaborative teamwork (Children Acts Advisory Board 2007, P. 79). Third stage: Natural Lead This stage involves organization to organisation interaction and collaboration. The participating agencies hold various meeting to strategise and organise their activities. It is also at this stage that the involved agencies identify the sources of the resources that will be used in the entire process. Despite identifying the sources of the require finance, agencies establishes a joint system that will be used to deal with the identified health issue in the community. Agencies also use this stage to come up with an effective mean of examining and evaluating the outcome of the initiative. The process of rewarding professionals who will demonstrate excellent performance is also discussed and defined in this stage (Zappone 1998, P. 93) Forth stage Community Service The final stage involves executing the proposed interagency initiative. The stage involves interaction between organization and community members. The interaction between interagency group and community members aims at dealing with the identified social problem. In this case, the interaction will aim at identifying the main cause of increased cases of malaria. Professionals use public relation to create a visible interaction between interagency group and community members. Development of an effective rapport will also play a very essential role in enhancing effective communication and interaction. After creating effective interaction, the implementation of the proposed course of action commences immediately. This stage therefore aims at integrating community members in interagency group activities (HM Government 2006, P.657) Strengths The initiative involved interaction between professionals from various backgrounds. Therefore, there was consistent sharing of ideas and opinions. In addition, interagency interaction offers variety of opinions from different players. Teamwork is as well enhanced through interagency interaction Weaknesses Interagency interaction is a complicated and time-consuming exercise. Secondly, there is consistence conflict of interest in interagency interaction. In addition, the process requires many resources in terms of human resource and finance. On the other hand, there was insufficient information regarding the cause and nature of domestic violence in united states of America. Recommendation Based on above evaluation, players from all professional backgrounds ought t be involved in solving domestic issues. In addition, professionals should as well seek to strengthen some of the identified challenges and adopt appropriate measures. Civic education is as well critical in reducing cases of domestic violence in the society. Interagency initiative should as well address demands and needs of all players irrespective of their professional background. References Allnock, D., Akhurst, S., Tunstill, J and NESS Research Team, 2006, “Constructing and Sustaining Sure Start Local Programme Partnerships: lessons for future inter-agency collaborations” Journal of Children’s Services, 1, 3, 29-39 Atkinson, M., Kinder, K and Doherty, P., 2003, “On Track: a qualitative study of the early impacts of services. DfES Research Brief RB473”, Nottingham: DfES Publications Atkinson, M., Wilkin, A., Stott, A., Doherty, P and Kinder, K., 2002, “Multi-agency working: a detailed study” Swindon: NFER Bertram, T., Pascal, C., Bokhari, S., Gasper, M., Holterman, S., John, K and Nelson, C., 2002, “Early Excellence Centre Pilot Programme third Annual Evaluation Report 2001-2002”, Birmingham: Centre for Research in Early Childhood Children Acts Advisory Board, 2007, “Strategy 2008-2010”, Dublin: CAAB Cullen, B., 1997, “The Integration of Services for Tackling Early School Leaving and Educational Disadvantage at Local, Community Levels”, Dublin: The Children’s Research Centre. Halsy, K., Gulliver, C., Johnson, A., Martin, K and Kinder, K., 2005, “Evaluation of Behaviour and Education Support Teams, Research BriefRB706”, Nottingham: DfES Publications HM Government, 2006, “Reaching Out: An Action Plan on Social Exclusion”, London: Cabinet Office Indecon N., 2008, “Indecon Review of County/City Development Board Strategic Reviews and Proposals for Strengthening and Developing the Boards”, Dublin: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Lindley, S., 2005, “Evaluation of Partnership Working, Doncaster District Sure Start Denaby Main and Conisborough”, Sheffield: ARC Research and Consultancy Lloyd, G., Stead, J and Kendrick, A., 2009, “Hanging on in there. A study of inter-agency work to prevent school exclusion in three local authorities, London: NCB McInnes, K., 2009, “Do we understand each other? 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Zappone, K., 1998, “Top-Down or Bottom-Up: The Involvement of the Community Sector in Partnerships in the Shadow of the Tiger: New Approaches to Combating Social Exclusion”, Dublin: Dublin City University Press Read More