Formulating Initial Programme Theories of the Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods Integrated Care Initiative

INTRODUCTION: The Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods (HHAN) integrated care initiative was designed to break intergenerational cycles of social and health inequalities and enhance access to and engagement with health and social services for vulnerable families in the Sydney Local Health District. We sought to unearth the initial programme theory of the HHAN initiative to inform rollout to other relevant areas. METHODS: We conducted a critical realist evaluation using steps. (1) Exploring the events around the HHAN initiative development. (2) Explore consumer experiences. (3) Identifying the entities and associations characterising the HHAN initiative and related outcomes. (4) Searching for different theoretical perspectives and explanations (abduction). (5) Hypothesising the mechanisms and [context] conditions that might have activated the generation of the HHAN outcomes (retroduction). RESULTS: We identified three central mechanisms; trust, buy-in and motivation, and understanding family dynamics operating across consumer, provider and systems levels of the HHAN initiative. DISCUSSION: These programme theories reveal that to achieve the goals of HHAN, interpersonal dynamics, fostering buy-in and ensuring motivation of both the consumers and care workers should be sought and sustained at all levels. CONCLUSION: The programme theories unveil that integrated care initiatives should foster positive relationships at all levels to ensure favourable consumer outcomes.