Commissioning health services for First Nations, regional, and remote populations: a scoping review

Background: Commissioning for health services has been implemented as one approach to improve the quality and access to healthcare for First Nations, regional and remote populations. This review systematically scoped the literature for studies that described or evaluated the governance, funding, implementation and outcomes from health service commissioning targeting these groups in Canada, Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and the United States (CANZUS nations).

Methods: Seventeen databases were searched for relevant peer reviewed and grey literature studies published in English from 2010 to 2023. Grounded theory methods were used to identify the enablers and strategies or processes that support commissioning and any challenges to implementation.

Results: Overall, 29 Peer reviewed and 18 grey literature studies remained after screening. The studies reported enabling conditions for effective commissioning including operating models that were responsive to beneficiary needs, workforce and technical capability, flexibility and duration of contracts, adequate funding, and achievable health outcomes and indicators. Supporting strategies focussed on multi-actor collaboration, relationship building, and service innovation. Reported impacts included improved access to care, and self-determination and wellbeing for First Nations populations. Challenges related to inflexible funding, high transaction costs, overcompliance, and poor relationships. Most studies were process evaluations or descriptions of the application of commissioning to various health areas, with comparatively limited assessment of the impacts across the health system, or on health status.

Conclusion: Findings suggests that a relational model drives success in commissioning for health and wellbeing services for First Nations, regional and remote populations. The relational model presented in this review is supported by the following attributes: responsive, resourced, collaborative, equitable, innovative and self-determined: and when applied by multiple actors in the commissioning process can address the complex health and wellbeing needs of end users.