Cross-Domain Collaboration in Supporting Working Caregivers
Abstract
Background: The number of workers combining paid employment with caregiving responsibilities is expected to rise in the coming years due to demographic trends and policy shifts. In the Netherlands, support for working care givers can come from several domains such as work, municipality, health care, and social policy. Supporting working caregivers is complex, requiring coordinated action across these domains. This study aims to gain insight in the factors influencing cross-domain collaboration in the support for working caregivers and identify leverage points and directions for strategies to improve cross-domain collaboration.
Methods: Using a complex systems approach, we conducted three group model building (GMB) sessions with stakeholders from various sectors to map the factors influencing cross-domain collaboration. We developed a causal loop diagram (CLD) to visualize system dynamics, and applied the action scales model to identify leverage points and actionable strategies.
Results: The CLD included factors in the clusters of working caregiver, professional, and policy. Key barriers identified by the participants include fragmented legislation, incoherent funding, and limited time and capacity for cooperation. Five leverage points were identified and participants proposed strategies across the structures, event, and belief levels of the ASM, including inter-ministerial coordination, educational integration, and coalition-building to raise awareness.
Conclusions: Cross-domain collaboration to support working caregivers is hindered by fragmented legislation, funding, and information. Improving inter-ministerial cooperation, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and integrating care into education were identified key pathways to strengthening support. These insights can be used to inform policy makers and other stakeholders to improve cross-domain collaboration in the support of working caregivers.
Key messages: • Cross-domain collaboration to support working caregivers is hindered by fragmented legislation, funding, and information.
• A multi-level approach is needed to achieve sustainable, cross-domain support for working caregivers, for example through inter-ministerial coordination.
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BibTeX
@article{abma2026crossdomain,
title = {{Cross-Domain Collaboration in Supporting Working Caregivers}},
author = {FI Abma and L Barsties and S Van Oostrom and KI Proper},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.485},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.485},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cross-Domain Collaboration in Supporting Working Caregivers
AU - FI Abma
AU - L Barsties
AU - S Van Oostrom
AU - KI Proper
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.485
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.485
AB - Background: The number of workers combining paid employment with caregiving responsibilities is expected to rise in the coming years due to demographic trends and policy shifts. In the Netherlands, support for working care givers can come from several domains such as work, municipality, health care, and social policy. Supporting working caregivers is complex, requiring coordinated action across these domains. This study aims to gain insight in the factors influencing cross-domain collaboration in the support for working caregivers and identify leverage points and directions for strategies to improve cross-domain collaboration. Methods: Using a complex systems approach, we conducted three group model building (GMB) sessions with stakeholders from various sectors to map the factors influencing cross-domain collaboration. We developed a causal loop diagram (CLD) to visualize system dynamics, and applied the action scales model to identify leverage points and actionable strategies. Results: The CLD included factors in the clusters of working caregiver, professional, and policy. Key barriers identified by the participants include fragmented legislation, incoherent funding, and limited time and capacity for cooperation. Five leverage points were identified and participants proposed strategies across the structures, event, and belief levels of the ASM, including inter-ministerial coordination, educational integration, and coalition-building to raise awareness. Conclusions: Cross-domain collaboration to support working caregivers is hindered by fragmented legislation, funding, and information. Improving inter-ministerial cooperation, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and integrating care into education were identified key pathways to strengthening support. These insights can be used to inform policy makers and other stakeholders to improve cross-domain collaboration in the support of working caregivers. Key messages: • Cross-domain collaboration to support working caregivers is hindered by fragmented legislation, funding, and information. • A multi-level approach is needed to achieve sustainable, cross-domain support for working caregivers, for example through inter-ministerial coordination.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -