Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Am J Health Promot. 2010 Jan-Feb;24(3):190-8. doi: 10.4278/ajhp.08022216.
We describe the perceived usefulness of a learning collaborative for translating obesity prevention science into practice at YMCA after-school programs.
We conducted mixed-methods research to identify beneficial aspects of the collaborative and to assess perceived effect of the collaborative on ability to meet goals.
Sixty-one YMCA after-school programs serving roughly 2500 children in 21 states.
After-school program staff attending learning sessions for the collaborative.
YMCA learning collaboratives comprise a structured organizational change process delivered during 9 to 12 months that aim to empower staff to find local methods for achieving specific program outcomes related to diet and physical activity.
Eight focus groups conducted during the collaboratives assessed their usefulness. A post hoc Web-based follow-up survey (39 respondents; response rate, 40.6%) assessed final perceived effect.
Qualitative and quantitative data were highly positive about the usefulness of the collaborative. The collaboratives' duration, peer learning, multilevel staff involvement, focus on creating a supportive organization, and regular coaching support enabled many respondents to make program and policy changes consistent with project goals. There was consensus that executive-level commitment to the work was critical.
Learning collaboratives are a promising tool for embedding health promotion practices in existing after-school programs through a structured organizational change process.
我们描述了学习合作对于将肥胖预防科学转化为 YMCA 课后项目实践的有用性。
我们采用混合方法研究，以确定合作的有益方面，并评估合作对实现目标能力的感知效果。
21 个州的 61 个 YMCA 课后项目，为大约 2500 名儿童提供服务。
参加合作学习课程的课后项目工作人员。
YMCA 学习合作由一个结构化的组织变革过程组成，在 9 到 12 个月内实施，旨在赋予员工权力，找到实现与饮食和身体活动相关的特定项目成果的本地方法。
合作期间进行了 8 次焦点小组，评估其有用性。事后进行了基于网络的后续调查（39 名受访者；回复率为 40.6%），评估最终的感知效果。
定性和定量数据对合作的有用性高度肯定。合作的持续时间、同伴学习、多层次员工参与、关注创建支持性组织以及定期教练支持，使许多受访者能够进行与项目目标一致的计划和政策变更。大家一致认为，高层管理人员对这项工作的承诺至关重要。
学习合作是通过结构化的组织变革过程将健康促进实践嵌入现有课后项目的有前途的工具。
