System Dynamics Modeling Pilot: Regional Diabetes Collaborative (RDC) Strategic Planning Workshop

RDC Workshop Planning Team

A one day strategic planning workshop to pilot test the use of the diabetes system model as a strategic planning tool was held on January 26, 2007 in Watsonville. With 68 participants in attendance, the workshop presented data about the burden of diabetes in the tri-county area of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. A resource mapping exercise and “systems thinking” was done using the diabetes system model developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and calibrated to California state data. The event was held by the California Diabetes Program, the CDC, and the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust’s RDC. 

In 2005, the California Diabetes Program began participating in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Diabetes Primary Prevention Initiative (DPPI) in three areas: surveillance, system dynamics modeling, and interventions. California is exploring ways to use the diabetes system model to improve strategies and coordinate activities around diabetes prevention and control. The model may be used to create a shared vision of a path towards positive diabetes outcomes amongst diverse stakeholders including payers, health care providers, voluntary organizations, community groups, and government agencies.

Hypothesis Being Tested:  

Use of the diabetes model can facilitate the development of a shared understanding of the diabetes system, across diverse disciplines, leading to coordinated action among diverse stakeholders in a community setting.

Awardee:

The Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust applied for and was awarded funds to assist the California Diabetes Program pilot the diabetes system model.  As part of the Health Trust's Regional Diabetes Collaborative (RDC), a strategic planning workshop was designed to test the utility of the diabetes system model as a tool to facilitate cross discipline strategic planning.  The RDC includes Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.

Outline of Workshop:

The RDC Strategic Planning Workshop was held on 1/16/07 at the offices of the Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust.  The morning session included data to help define the burden of diabetes, a diabetes Population Flow Map presentation to define what drives the burden of diabetes, resource mapping to take a look at current activities/interventions in this tri-county community, and consideration of various "what if" scenarios using the diabetes system model to explore possible futures and what the tri-county area might do to achieve their desired future.  All documents presented during the workshop are available for download at the links below.

The afternoon session focused on strategic planning including reaching consensus on 2-5 priorities, looking at the current RDC structure in relation to the identified priorities, and a discussion of next steps in the RDC's strategic planning process.

Outcomes:

The workshop was attended by 68 people, including both new and existing members of the RDC, partners from the California Diabetes Program, and representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  A pre and post survey was conducted and the responses are being analyzed.  Additional follow-up may include interviews with workshop participants and a comparison of the existing stratetgic plan to the new strategic plan to help detemine the contribution of the morning session and the diabetes system model.

For more information about the Regional Diabetes Collaborative please contact Raquel Ramirez at (831) 763-6456.

For more information about System Dynamics Modeling, the diabetes system model, or future plans for its use in California please contact either Karen Black at (916) 552-9975 or Gary He at (916) 552-9923.

Questions about the Data Booklet developed for this pilot should be directed to Toshi Hayashi at (916) 552-8073.