Coproduction in commissioning decisions: is there an association with decision satisfaction for commissioners working in the NHS? A cross-sectional survey 2010/2011

OBJECTIVES: To undertake an assessment of the association between coproduction and satisfaction with decisions made for local healthcare communities. DESIGN: A coproduction scale was developed and tested to measure individual National Health Service (NHS) commissioners’ satisfaction with commissioning decisions. SETTING: 11 English Primary Care Trusts in 2010–2011. PARTICIPANTS: Staff employed at NHS band 7 or above involved in commissioning decisions in the NHS. 345/440 (78%) of participants completed part of all of the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Reliability and validity of a coproduction scale were assessed using a correlation-based principal component analysis model with direct oblimin rotation. Multilevel modelling was used to predict decision satisfaction. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that coproduction consisted of three principal components: productive discussion, information and dealing with uncertainty. Higher decision satisfaction was associated with smaller decisions, more productive discussion, decisions where information was readily available to use and those where decision-making tools were more often used. CONCLUSIONS: The research indicated that coproduction may be an important factor for satisfaction with decision-making in the commissioning of healthcare services.