Reforming healthcare in the Netherlands: practical population health management and the Plot model: A questionnaire survey and focus group study to assess the willingness and readiness of six regions in the Netherlands

OBJECTIVE: As in many other countries, the Netherlands is facing challenges in the provision of healthcare to its population. To ensure the population remains in good health in coming decades, an integrative approach to the many factors that influence health and health outcomes is needed. Population health management is gaining interest as a strategic framework for systems change in healthcare organisations. Based on population health management, the Dutch HealthKIC has developed the ‘Plot model’, which takes a regional perspective. The aim of this study was to detail the extent to which six prospective regions in the Netherlands were ready and willing to implement population health management using the Plot model, guided by the Five Lenses Model. METHODS: Using an exploratory focus group reporting study, we involved stakeholders from six regions in the Netherlands. Thematic analysis followed the five predesigned dimensions of a validated cooperation model. RESULTS: The study uncovered the potential for realisation of model aims, as assessed by an expert team, regarding shared ambition, mutual gains, relationship dynamics, organisational dynamics and process management. The exploratory questionnaire suggested that organisational dynamics is the least integrated topic in all areas, followed by process management, a finding confirmed in focus groups. CONCLUSION: The building themes of the Five Lenses Model all represent preconditions for the success of integration in the prospective regions. The present study showed that while some themes were reasonably represented in prospective regions, no region was satisfactory for all themes.