Mapping the dynamics of learning communities about Dutch healthy weight approaches: a causal loop diagram

Learning communities (LCs) are increasingly used among multidisciplinary public health challenges, such as local healthy weight approaches. LCs aim to stimulate learning, collaboration and actions. Previous research has provided insights into the underlying elements of multidisciplinary LCs, but little is known about the perceived causalities of these elements. Therefore, limited is known about what can be done to leverage LCs. This study aims to gain insights into the perceived dynamics of multidisciplinary LCs during the starting phase, including variables, and interconnectedness between variables.

To elucidate LC dynamics, all members of two separate LCs participated in a qualitative interview about experiences, perceived learning, and actions during the first six months. Interviews were analyzed thematically. Subsequently, a qualitative causal loop diagram was designed.

The qualitative causal loop diagram showed three intertwined themes. The first theme explains why group dynamics are essential, and how jointly arranging the LC may optimize group dynamics. The second theme explains how insights are obtained through multidisciplinary knowledge exchange. The third theme explains how actions are executed when conditions are met. These LC group dynamics, learning and action influenced one another.

To optimize LCs, it is highly recommended that stakeholders arrange them jointly, involve the appropriate partners, match with LC members' needs, and motivate members to execute action. LC facilitators are recommended to use the causal loop diagram to identify their bottlenecks and how to intervene in those to optimize the LC.