Perspectives of healthcare professionals on cross-sectoral collaboration between mental health centers and municipalities: A qualitative study

Kim Jørgensen; Rikke Cronquist; Morten Hansen; Birgitte Lerbæk; Jesper Frederiksen; Emma Watson; Merete Bjerrum; Bengt Eirik Karlsson

doi:10.1177/00207640241299387

Perspectives of healthcare professionals on cross-sectoral collaboration between mental health centers and municipalities: A qualitative study

Kim Jørgensen^*
, Rikke Cronquist
, Morten Hansen
, Birgitte Lerbæk
, Jesper Frederiksen
, Emma Watson
, Merete Bjerrum
, Bengt Eirik Karlsson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

AIMS: This paper aims to explore the intricacies of cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care, focusing on the perspectives of health professionals across various disciplines. It seeks to understand how collaboration can enhance service delivery and patient outcomes while identifying existing challenges.

BACKGROUND: The evolving healthcare landscape emphasizes the importance of integrating services across sectors, particularly in mental health care, to improve continuity and efficiency of care.

DESIGN: The study utilizes qualitative methods to investigate health professionals' experiences with cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health services.

METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to select 21 health professionals for focus group discussions held at a mental health center in Region Zealand, Denmark. Data was collected through these discussions, and content analysis was performed to extract key themes. The data collection took place in 2022.

RESULTS/FINDINGS: Health professionals recognized the potential benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration, such as enhanced service delivery and improved patient outcomes. However, significant barriers were identified, including bureaucratic obstacles, communication gaps, and insufficient organizational support.

CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care offers significant advantages, but challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential. Efforts should focus on policy reforms, organizational support, and fostering interdisciplinary communication to improve care delivery.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	694-704
Number of pages	11
Journal	International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Volume	71
Issue number	4
Early online date	7 Dec 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640241299387
Publication status	Published - Jun 2025

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge the support provided by Region Zealand Mental Health Center and Roskilde University for facilitating this research. The study was not supported by any external financial grants, and there are no industrial links or affiliations to declare. We also extend our gratitude to the healthcare professionals who participated in the focus group discussions and contributed valuable insights to this study.

Funders
Region Sjælland

Keywords

Qualitative research
Service delivery
User involvement
Municipalities
Nursing
Collaboration
Mental health
Patient-centered care
Healthcare professionals
Interdisciplinary
Attitude of Health Personnel
Humans
Intersectoral Collaboration
Middle Aged
Focus Groups
Cooperative Behavior
Male
Health Personnel/psychology
Denmark
Female
Adult
Qualitative Research
Cities
Mental Health Services/organization & administration

Access to Document

10.1177/00207640241299387Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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abstract = "AIMS: This paper aims to explore the intricacies of cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care, focusing on the perspectives of health professionals across various disciplines. It seeks to understand how collaboration can enhance service delivery and patient outcomes while identifying existing challenges.BACKGROUND: The evolving healthcare landscape emphasizes the importance of integrating services across sectors, particularly in mental health care, to improve continuity and efficiency of care.DESIGN: The study utilizes qualitative methods to investigate health professionals' experiences with cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health services.METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to select 21 health professionals for focus group discussions held at a mental health center in Region Zealand, Denmark. Data was collected through these discussions, and content analysis was performed to extract key themes. The data collection took place in 2022.RESULTS/FINDINGS: Health professionals recognized the potential benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration, such as enhanced service delivery and improved patient outcomes. However, significant barriers were identified, including bureaucratic obstacles, communication gaps, and insufficient organizational support.CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care offers significant advantages, but challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential. Efforts should focus on policy reforms, organizational support, and fostering interdisciplinary communication to improve care delivery.",

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year = "2025",

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Jørgensen, K, Cronquist, R, Hansen, M, Lerbæk, B, Frederiksen, J, Watson, E, Bjerrum, M & Karlsson, BE 2025, 'Perspectives of healthcare professionals on cross-sectoral collaboration between mental health centers and municipalities: A qualitative study', International Journal of Social Psychiatry, vol. 71, no. 4, pp. 694-704. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640241299387

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T1 - Perspectives of healthcare professionals on cross-sectoral collaboration between mental health centers and municipalities

T2 - A qualitative study

AU - Jørgensen, Kim

AU - Cronquist, Rikke

AU - Hansen, Morten

AU - Lerbæk, Birgitte

AU - Frederiksen, Jesper

AU - Watson, Emma

AU - Bjerrum, Merete

AU - Karlsson, Bengt Eirik

PY - 2025/6

Y1 - 2025/6

N2 - AIMS: This paper aims to explore the intricacies of cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care, focusing on the perspectives of health professionals across various disciplines. It seeks to understand how collaboration can enhance service delivery and patient outcomes while identifying existing challenges.BACKGROUND: The evolving healthcare landscape emphasizes the importance of integrating services across sectors, particularly in mental health care, to improve continuity and efficiency of care.DESIGN: The study utilizes qualitative methods to investigate health professionals' experiences with cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health services.METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to select 21 health professionals for focus group discussions held at a mental health center in Region Zealand, Denmark. Data was collected through these discussions, and content analysis was performed to extract key themes. The data collection took place in 2022.RESULTS/FINDINGS: Health professionals recognized the potential benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration, such as enhanced service delivery and improved patient outcomes. However, significant barriers were identified, including bureaucratic obstacles, communication gaps, and insufficient organizational support.CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care offers significant advantages, but challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential. Efforts should focus on policy reforms, organizational support, and fostering interdisciplinary communication to improve care delivery.

AB - AIMS: This paper aims to explore the intricacies of cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care, focusing on the perspectives of health professionals across various disciplines. It seeks to understand how collaboration can enhance service delivery and patient outcomes while identifying existing challenges.BACKGROUND: The evolving healthcare landscape emphasizes the importance of integrating services across sectors, particularly in mental health care, to improve continuity and efficiency of care.DESIGN: The study utilizes qualitative methods to investigate health professionals' experiences with cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health services.METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to select 21 health professionals for focus group discussions held at a mental health center in Region Zealand, Denmark. Data was collected through these discussions, and content analysis was performed to extract key themes. The data collection took place in 2022.RESULTS/FINDINGS: Health professionals recognized the potential benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration, such as enhanced service delivery and improved patient outcomes. However, significant barriers were identified, including bureaucratic obstacles, communication gaps, and insufficient organizational support.CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care offers significant advantages, but challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential. Efforts should focus on policy reforms, organizational support, and fostering interdisciplinary communication to improve care delivery.

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KW - User involvement

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KW - Attitude of Health Personnel

KW - Humans

KW - Intersectoral Collaboration

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Focus Groups

KW - Cooperative Behavior

KW - Male

KW - Health Personnel/psychology

KW - Denmark

KW - Female

KW - Adult

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Cities

KW - Mental Health Services/organization & administration

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DO - 10.1177/00207640241299387

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SN - 0020-7640

VL - 71

SP - 694

EP - 704

JO - International Journal of Social Psychiatry

JF - International Journal of Social Psychiatry

IS - 4

ER -

Perspectives of healthcare professionals on cross-sectoral collaboration between mental health centers and municipalities: A qualitative study

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