Identification of a minimum data set to document public health work and evaluate organizational performance with network analysis

Organizational network analysis is an empirical technique for studying organizational structure, based on social network and graph theories. It is used extensively in the private sector to aid management. A feasibility study found network analysis useful for local public health management but a standard means to document work processes was needed for the public health domain. A multi-step qualitative method was used to identify a minimum data set to capture public health work. Researchers used iterative review to manually extract over 500 task, knowledge and resources terms from established sources including accreditation and evaluation instruments, workforce surveys, competencies, operational definition, and business processes. Items were de-duplicated and consolidated by a cross walk with the Essential Services and 10 most common activities identified by NACCHO. Practice experts provided their opinion on the suitability of the terms to capture work performed in any health department. These findings were validated by a focus group of local practitioners. The resulting set of 44 tasks, 54 knowledge, and 55 resources terms comprise a survey instrument based on established practice documentation for use across local departments to evaluate performance using network analysis. The survey was pilot tested in two departments. Results supplied network measurements to inform local management decisions. Further study will develop baseline network measurements and a database for comparing these networks with results from the National Public Health Performance Standards Program. The minimum data set has potential for broad use in documenting work processes, building uniform job descriptions and developing training frameworks.