Speakers
Description
Authors: Geoff Bates (University of Bath, United Kingdom), Wesley Hughes (University of Bath, United Kingdom)
Background: Systems thinking and methods can help us to understand and tackle complex behaviours or problems. This workshop aims to support participants to take a ‘systems approach’ for prevention, specifically through using system mapping methods. Systems mapping is an increasingly common method used in public health to understand the factors influencing a behaviours or outcome that we want to prevent or change, and to visualise how these factors relate to one another in a connected system. The learning and outputs developed through system mapping can be used to identify and evaluate interventions.
Methods: Participants will 'learn by doing' and, in groups, develop their own system map through activities based on group model building methods. The activities will be supported by presentations introducing theoretical aspects, practical issues, and different methods for mapping systems drawing on the facilitators’ own research. Participants will be given a choice of topic areas to focus on including drug prevention, healthcare professional prescribing, and mental health. They will participate in group discussions to reflect on key concepts and methods used, and consider their application to their own topic/ research areas.
Results: The intended outcomes of the workshop for participants will be (i) increased understanding about how systems thinking and systems approaches can support prevention science and (ii) development of the skills and knowledge to undertake systems mapping. Through creating a systems map, participants will also improve their understanding about their own role in the systems that they work in.
Discussion: Applying systems methods can help researchers, practitioners and policymakers develop a deeper understanding of the causes of problems and behaviours. By analysing and mapping how complex systems work they can identify opportunities for interventions to prevent and change these outcomes. Importantly, systems mapping can also help to identify and mitigate unintended consequences of interventions.
Other information:
We suggest including up to 20 participants, although we could adapt it for higher numbers if required. If it is possible to engage with participants before the workshop, we could also adapt the topic areas for the systems mapping activities to any common research/ practice topics e.g. gambling, obesity, etc.
Duration: We propose to deliver a full-day (6 hours) workshop and the timings can be adjusted to fit around any scheduled breaks. However, it could be modified to be delivered as a half-day workshop if that was the preferred option.
Materials: Participants will not be required to bring any materials with them. It will be most useful for participants interested in applying systems methods but they do not require any prior experience to participate. Martials required in the workshop are sticky notes, pens and print outs of templates (ideally A1 or A2 paper).
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest
| Conflict of interest | The authors declare no conflict of interest |
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