Abstract
This research inquiry used qualitative and quantitative methods to examine how key decision makers from Saskatchewan health districts and Saskatchewan Health understand the determinants of health. The inquiry was based on the premise that key decision makers’ understanding of the determinants of health, and the consensus regarding these understandings, hinder or facilitate dialogue, choice of effective strategies, and achievement of health promotion goals.
Interviews indicated variation in perspective and emphasis regarding how key decision makers understand the determinants of health. A survey of key decision makers found: 1) inconsistencies in respondents’ understanding of the determinants of health, particularly between stated beliefs and priorities for actions; and 2) that the degree of consensus among decision makers was higher for stated beliefs and lower for choices of action. Results indicate a need for clarification and consensus-building processes concerning the determinants of health, as well as for clear policies that foster consistency between beliefs and actions and minimize inappropriate or undesirable differences in interpretations.
Abrégé
Cette recherche-enquête utilise les méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives pour examiner comment les décideurs clés des Saskatchewan health districts et de Saskatchewan Health comprennent les déterminants de la santé. Cette enquête est basée sur la prémisse que la compréhension des déterminants de la santé par les décideurs clés et le consensus concernant ces compréhensions, limitent ou facilitent le dialogue, le choix des stratégies efficaces et la réalisation des objectifs en promotion de la santé.
Les entrevues indiquent des écarts dans les perspectives et centres d’intérêt concernant la façon dont les décideurs clés comprennent les déterminants de la santé.
Une enquête auprès des décideurs clés montre: 1) des incohèrences dans la compréhension par les répondants des déterminants de la santé, en particulier entre croyances affichées et priorités d’action; 2) que le degré de consensus entre les décideurs était plus élevé en ce qui a trait à ce qu’ils indiquent savoir et plus bas en ce qui concerne les choix d’action. Les résultats indiquent le besoin de moyens pour clarifier et pour construire le consensus concernant les déterminants de la santé, ainsi que pour des politiques claires qui encouragent la cohérence entre croyances et actions et minimisent les différences d’interprétation inappropriées ou indésirables.
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