Using a systematic performance management process to increase chronic disease coordination

State and local health departments are implementing performance management systems to redefine how work is managed and meet PHAB accreditation standards. The Montana DPHHS Public Health and Safety Division’s (PHSD) approach created a standardized, systematic way of managing work that also meets the accreditation standards. This integrated management system will lead to a number of benefits including improved program performance and more efficient utilization of resources. Little is known about how performance management can be used to improve coordination between programs.   

In 2012, the PHSD Office of Public Health System Improvement (OPHSI) began implementation of their integrated management system. The OPHSI initially worked with the programs within the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDPHP) Bureau. Operational planning sessions provided a focused review of the programs targeted health outcomes, evidence-based activities, and statewide partners. The integrated management system includes a standard work plan format that emphasizes organizing activities around common goals and promotes regular systematic review of performance measures. The CDPHP Bureau management reviewed the standardized work plans to identify opportunities to improve coordination across programs.

Common strategies were identified as well as opportunities for future collaboration. The programs use policy and system change approaches in similar settings, many times working with the same partner organization on different chronic disease topics. Workgroups have been established along common settings such as worksites, schools, and healthcare systems to enhance coordination between programs. Our findings suggest that the implementation of an integrated management system can also support strategies to improve coordination across programs.