Trust in Public Health Organisations

Recently, articles have appeared in the media reflecting on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, what has worked well and where there is room for improvement. In this context, we at the Department of Business and Health at the University of Continuing Education Krems, together with NHS Wales, have conducted a study looking at the resilience and adaptability of public health organizations during the crisis (Krczal and Behrens, 2024). The results provide valuable insights into how effective public health strategies can be important not only in times of crisis, but also with regard to long-term challenges such as demographic change and increasing multimorbidity. An outstanding example of successful cross-sector collaboration in times of crisis is the rapid implementation of a testing, tracking and protection service in Wales through the cooperation of seven different organizations. A qualitative study analyzed the formation process of this partnership and the building of trust, providing valuable insights for future health crises.

The study identifies several mechanisms for building trust that are crucial for successful collaborations. Key factors include shared goals and values, flat hierarchies, transparent communication and the promotion of relational dynamics between partner organizations. These findings offer valuable recommendations for future healthcare initiatives, for example by implementing governance structures, promoting staff development and establishing shared values. These principles are of great importance not only for acute crises, but also for long-term structural changes in the healthcare sector, as they can make healthcare systems more resilient and adaptable to future challenges.