Collaborative Care Model in Community Health Nursing: Bridging Healthcare Providers and Policymakers for Intersectional Care

Abstract

This study examined the collaboration between healthcare providers and policymakers in selected municipalities within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), focusing on communication, coordination, resource allocation, and strategies to address health disparities. Anchored in Hildegard Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory, the research explored how relational dynamics influence governance and service delivery outcomes in decentralized health systems. A mixed-methods design was used, combining quantitative survey data and qualitative interviews with healthcare workers, local government officials, and key stakeholders. Quantitative results showed moderate levels of collaboration, with communication and coordination remaining major challenges. Qualitative findings further emphasized the rise of adaptive relational governance, where stakeholders depended on informal networks, trust-building, and personal initiative to manage fragmented institutional structures. The integration of findings suggests that while formal mechanisms for collaboration exist, their effectiveness is often constrained by systemic limitations, including unclear policy guidelines, resource inequities, and weak inter-agency alignment. However, interpersonal relationships and localized strategies serve as critical enablers of functional collaboration in practice. The study concludes that strengthening healthcare governance in BARMM requires institutionalizing communication channels, enhancing the capacity of Local Health Boards, and developing policy frameworks that align formal systems with existing informal practices. A strategic roadmap is proposed to improve collaborative governance, promote equity in resource distribution, and ensure sustainable health outcomes in the region.