Protocol for a mixed methods realist evaluation of regional District Health Board groupings in New Zealand.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Achieving effective integration of healthcare across primary, secondary and tertiary care is a key goal of the New Zealand (NZ) Health Strategy. NZ's regional District Health Board (DHB) groupings are fundamental to delivering integration, bringing the country's 20 DHBs together into four groups to collaboratively plan, fund and deliver health services within their defined geographical regions. This research aims to examine how, for whom and in what circumstances the regional DHB groupings work to improve health service integration, healthcare quality, health outcomes and health equity, particularly for Māori and Pacific peoples.

Methods and analysis

This research uses a mixed methods realist evaluation design. It comprises three linked studies: (1) formulating

SUBMITTER: Stokes T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6477391 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature