Explore the Health Issue and Set Priorities

STEPS
  1. Decide the objectives for this phase
  2. Explore the health issue with the core group
  3. Together with the core group, explore the health issues with the broader community
  4. Analyze the information
  5. Set priorities for action

STEP 2: Explore the health issue with the core group.

This exploration phase begins with an in-depth examination of the health issue with core group members to learn as much as possible about their current feelings, knowledge, practices, and beliefs related to the issue and their capacity to address their needs. This step is usually carried out in a session or series of sessions with the core group. How many sessions you dedicate to this internal exploration of the health issue will depend on:
  • The level of trust and confidence that has been established in the group and with facilitators.
  • How narrowly or broadly focused your health issue is: with broader issues, there is often more technical content to discuss, so it may take longer.
  • Time available: participants’ availability to meet, donor constraints, team members’ availability.
  • Logistical concerns: geographic access, seasonal concerns (rains, planting, harvest, etc.), transport, other scheduled community activities.
  • Who facilitates the process: if your program team is working with core group members to build their capacity, you may need more time to conduct training sessions and then have new facilitators conduct group sessions.
  • The relative value of exploring the issue in several sessions over a period of time versus in one longer session: if participants feel the need to discuss the topic with their families, friends, or others before they set priorities, they may appreciate the chance to do so between sessions. Planning for at least two sessions is usually a good idea as it allows participants time to process what they have heard and experienced, and they may have new insights for the next meeting. This approach is very helpful for those people who need time to think about how they really feel before they can articulate their feelings.
  • Attention spans, level of difficulty of processing information: people can get tired or preoccupied with the other things that they need to do.
  • Whether you have achieved your objectives for this step. If not, will more time help? Were the objectives realistic? Is there a more effective approach you could use?

Beginning The Dialogue