Integrating assets in loop learning in community health promotion. Oral Presentation.

Introduction: In single-loop learning, individuals, groups or organizations modify their actions according to the difference between expected and obtained outcomes. In double-loop learning, the individuals, groups, or organizations question values and assumptions that led to the action in the first place. Loop learning is grounded on the deficit models that historically prevail in science. However, in essence, health promotion is about the factors or assets (capacities and resources) that enable people to lead an active and productive life. This implies that, in addition to shortcomings, assets also need to be identified. Aim: To integrate assets in loop learning in community health promotion. Methods: Loop learning with an asset-focus has been used in the subsequent evaluation of Dutch community health promotion programs: Working on the Health of Neighborhoods in Eindhoven, Healthy Lifestyles in Amsterdam and six partnerships in health promotion. Findings: Single-loop learning includes further developing actions on the basis of successes, such as activities which create involvement. Double-loop learning includes optimizing assumptions based on successes, such as including participatory research methods. Different loops were found for practice and for science in the programs, about the programs, in the research process and about the research paradigm. Conclusion: Loop learning can serve as a verification technique to make research findings and learning processes manageable and transparent for both practice and science of health promotion. The underlying deficit paradigm in loop learning – adjustment of actions and assumptions based on shortcomings - should be complemented with an asset paradigm.