Examining Network Evolution in Health and Human Services: The Opportunities and Pitfalls of Naturalistic Study Designs

Alicia Bunger, PhD, MSW is an Associate Professor at the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Her research examines inter-organizational relationships, social networks among clinicians, and implementation of evidence-based practices within children’s behavioral health organizations and systems.

Abstract: Initiatives to implement evidence-based practices, improve service quality, or promote coordination often influence the relationships among organizations and clinicians. In this seminar, we will draw on two of the speakers’ studies to consider the feasibility and pitfalls of leveraging naturally occurring regional initiatives to investigate interorganizational and interpersonal network evolution. We will conclude with a discussion of strategies for improving research rigor and relevance.

Frontiers for Network Analysis in Health Systems Research and Implementation Science

Health services and systems researchers are increasingly interested in studying the role and utilizing the power of social relations.  Social networks have been studied to inform, promote, and evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of health interventions.

The focus for this year’s Health Services, Systems & Policy Seminar Series at the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto is on applications of social network analysis techniques and theories to study health services and systems. The series will engage Canadian and international scholars to discuss empirical and theoretical efforts to highlight the promise and potential, caveats, and limitations of network analysis in the field.