Trilogies: Lessons from 50 Years Facilitating Community-based Health Assessments and Planning in Appalachia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Engagement
• Organizational Development

Background:

• Community and organizational group involvement is crucial for public ventures, especially in Appalachia.
• Successful improvements in social, health, economic, and educational sectors rely on integrating community input and fostering collaboration.
• Effective facilitation and group process management are essential skills for public health professionals guiding change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present twelve "trilogies"—sets of three related concepts—used over a 50-year career to aid group work.
• To demonstrate how trilogies can be applied as a facilitation technique to address group stagnation and conflict.
• To provide Appalachian-specific examples of trilogy deployment in diverse group settings.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of twelve trilogies over a 50-year period (1972-2022).
• Utilizing trilogies to support group tasks including assessment, planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Employing trilogies as a facilitation strategy for navigating difficult issues and conflict-prone situations.

Main Results:

• Trilogies proved effective in encouraging group progress across diverse compositions, locations, and topics.
• The concept sets offered thoughtful options for groups facing stalled deliberations or conflict.
• Twelve trilogies, organized around six common group-process questions, are presented with sources and examples.

Conclusions:

• Trilogies are a valuable tool for public health professionals and facilitators working with community and organizational groups.
• Flexible and creative approaches, like trilogies, enhance group process and outcomes.
• The described methods offer practical strategies for improving group dynamics and achieving public venture goals.