Shared service arrangements among local and tribal health departments in Wisconsin

The objective of this study was to explore current and future use of shared service arrangements as a management strategy to increase capacity to provide public health essential services in Wisconsin. An online cross-sectional survey of 99 local and tribal health departments in Wisconsin was conducted. Select variables from the 2010 Wisconsin Local Health Department survey were merged. Other data sources included results from a Board of Health governance analysis and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services region data. Ninety-one of 99 Wisconsin local and tribal health departments responded yielding a 92% response rate. Descriptive analysis was performed of current and future shared service arrangements and the characteristics of the types of arrangements and agreements in place. Seventy-one percent of respondents currently share services with one or more other health departments. More frequent shared arrangements occurred in programmatic areas than in departmental operations. Most frequently reported motivators for sharing services include making better use of resources, providing better services and responding to program requirements. Extensive qualitative comments indicate arrangements accomplished what the local health department hoped it would with perceived gains in efficiency and effectiveness.