Tools and analytic techniques to synthesise community knowledge in CBPR using computer-mediated participatory system modelling

Abstract

Participatory systems thinking methods are often used in community-based participatory research to engage and respond to complexity. Participation in systems thinking activities creates opportunities for participants to gain useful insights about complexity. It is desirable to design activities that extend the benefits of this participation into communities, as these insights are predictive of success in community-based prevention. This study tests an online, computer-mediated participatory system modelling platform (STICKE) and associated methods for collating and analysing its outputs. STICKE was trialled among a group of community members to test a computer-mediated system modelling exercise. The causal diagrams resulting from the exercise were then merged, and network analysis and DEMATEL methods applied to inform the generation of a smaller summary model to communicate insights from the participant group as a whole. Participants successfully completed the online modelling activity, and created causal diagrams consistent with expectations. The DEMATEL analysis was identified as the participant-preferred method for converging individuals causal diagrams into a coherent and useful summary. STICKE is an accessible tool that enabled participants to create causal diagrams online. Methods trialled in this study provide a protocol for combining and summarising individual causal diagrams that was perceived to be useful by the participant group. STICKE supports communities to consider and respond to complex problems at a local level, which is cornerstone of sustainable effective prevention. Understanding how communities perceive their own health challenges will be important to better support and inform locally owned prevention efforts.npj Digital Medicine (2020) 3:22 ; https://doi.

Four‐Year Behavioral, Health‐Related Quality of Life, and BMI Outcomes from a Cluster Randomized Whole of Systems Trial of Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity

“…This group included chief executive officers of health services and local council, business leaders, executives from the local water board, leaders of the local chamber of commerce, school principals, others in executive roles, and other informal and respected local community leaders. These leaders built a causal loop diagram of the causes of childhood obesity in their community (23) (e.g., Figure 1) using STICKE (Systems Thinking in Community Knowledge Exchange) version 1.7.1(Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia) (24). The resultant diagram (known as a system map) captured drivers of childhood obesity in the community.…”

Reflexive Evidence and Systems interventions to Prevention Obesity and Non-communicable Disease (RESPOND): protocol and baseline outcomes for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised prevention trial

“…Intervention action mapping will be undertaken using an action register (via an Excel template) for capturing current known actions, corresponding points of impact within the community-informed CLD, resources used or required, and geographical and population reach. Stakeholders will be encouraged to map actions onto their community CLDs through the use of the Systems Thinking in Community Knowledge Exchange Software V.3, 42 as shown in Maitland et al . 43 …”

Four-year Behavioural, Health Related Quality of Life and BMI Outcomes From a Cluster Randomized Whole of Systems Trial of Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity (Whostops Childhood Obesity)

“…Socioeconomic position was examined at the schoollevel through the ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage). [31] Anthropometry measures Students' height and weight were measured by trained health professionals in private booths; the children wore light clothing; no shoes, and; any items were removed from pockets. A portable stadiometer (Charder HM-200P Portstad, Charder Electronic Co Ltd, Taichung City, Taiwan) was used to measure height to the nearest 0.1 cm, and an electronic weight scale (A&D Precision Scale UC-321; A7D Medical, San Jose, CA) was used to measure weight to the nearest 0.1 kg.…”