Table 3 Site 2 characteristics

Site 2 was a small network that was action-focused on public outreach and education of vulnerable groups around a specific chronic condition. The network conducted frequent education sessions and screening for disease risk at English as a Second Language and French schools, reaching a large proportion of the immigrant population in Ontario city. The network was created in 2009 by three members who met at an annual conference and realized there was a large gap in condition-specific prevention services in their geographic area. The network was volunteer-based, i.e. not mandated by any particular organisation. From 2009 to the focus group conducted in June of 2011, the network was still in its pilot stage for its education and screening activities, and was periodically reflecting on and refining their processes.

The five members in this group represented three organisations: a regional PH organisation, a local community education programme and a national chronic conditions organisation. One member was an epidemiologist in charge of data management, while the other four members were in charge of coordination, execution and follow-up from events. Network members remained accountable to their member organisations and had to justify their involvement and time invested in this network’s activities.