Citation

Poulos RG, Donaldson A, McLeod B. Int. J. Inj. Control Safe. Promot. 2012; 19(2): 115-122.

Affiliation

School of Public Health and Community Medicine , The University of New South Wales , Sydney , NSW , 2052 , Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17457300.2011.603153

PMID

21819180

Abstract

Sports injuries are an important public health issue. A multi-agency key stakeholder partnership was formed to develop a state-wide response to sports injury prevention in New South Wales, Australia. This study evaluated the partnership approach to injury prevention policy development. The partnership approach to policy development was evaluated pre- and post-partnership using semi-structured telephone interviews and questionnaire data gathered from participants. Participants were satisfied with the partnership operation and outcomes. Challenges included: maintaining focus and efficiency; time constraints; sector diversity limiting the likelihood of addressing needs and reaching consensus; and ensuring commitment from all relevant organisations. Potential benefits included: a sense of policy ownership; a broad-based approach across the sector and savings from resource sharing. Policy resulted from a shared understanding of the injury problem, and of an appropriate response. A credible industry leader, investment in partnership management and a consultative approach facilitated the success of the partnership.

Language: en