Ensuring collaboration between primary health care and public health services (2018)

This publication draws from successful experiences in collaboration between public health and primary health care in five European countries (Austria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden). Three basic conditions were identified that must be satisfied to effectively increase collaboration between public health and primary health care professionals.

First, staff should be motivated by the potential to improve their working conditions and contribute to programme goals that they support and should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to implement the programme. Second, the organizational culture should be conducive to collaboration. This involves empowering local leaders, fostering trust and camaraderie among colleagues, rewarding excellence and providing opportunities to develop skills in communication and collaboration. Finally, formal collaboration mechanisms, either specific to the programme at hand or – better yet – integrated within national policy frameworks, should allow smooth communication and participatory decision-making.