| Intersectoral collaboration is one of the central concepts in health promotion and is important in improving individual health and building healthy environments. Recognizing its importance, many public health professionals have sought to develop and implement such collaboration. This study explored the views of participants involved in an intersectoral health promotion committee in Okinawa. The objectives of this research were to expand knowledge of the factors promoting or reducing intersectoral collaboration and to understand the interrelationships among the identified promoting or inhibiting factors.; I conducted the documentary research and in-depth interviews with 36 participants of planning committees for the Healthy Families Plan in seven municipalities in Okinawa. Interviewees included staff members and committee members in health, social welfare, education, city planning, business, and volunteer sectors.; I identified six categories in the collaborative activities of staff and member organizations: (1) predisposing factors, (2) mutual learning process, (3) atmosphere of committee meetings, (4) maintenance of the committee, (5) converting discussed activities into practical applications, and (6) collaborative activities among staff and member organizations.; The predisposing factors as well as previous communication and willingness to collaborate increased the chances of attaining successful discussions. The core process in the committees was the mutual learning process. It consisted of mutual understanding, system thinking, and exploring one's role. The mutual learning process was further promoted by a positive atmosphere and appropriate management of the committee.; The atmosphere was improved by enjoyable discussion, ownership, and trust among participants. To maintain a committee, a staff organization needed a good facilitator, management of the committee, out-of-committee coordination, and an appropriate planning method.; After the mutual learning process, committee members took into consideration the feasibility of implementing the discussed activities. Through this process, various collaborative activities among participants took place. These six categories of intersectoral collaboration were interrelated. The process toward collaborative activities was not sequential but a dynamic and complex process.; My findings provide practitioners key issues to consider in order to better understand the process of intersectoral collaboration and to better manage intersectoral collaboration. In addition, this study provides the conceptual framework for further research of intersectoral collaboration. |
