Strategic community : an approach for developing interorganizational collaboration

This research is a continuation of the initial pilot project (2007-2009) that was conducted with institutions and organizations providing cancer care. The research team wanted to determine whether the approach could be transferred to a different type of care: that of mental health. The mental health Strategic Community project made it possible to define the prerequisite conditions for the success of such an undertaking: a significant commitment by the general managers (one meeting per month), the participation of assistant directors associated with the general managers of each institution, the spearheading of a Strategic Community by a credible and experienced person who values this approach, concrete support for the pilot projects from an advisor-facilitator recruited by the general managers, the forming of an influential and active interinstitutional support group, and the contribution of independent expertise to steer the thought processes