title: Concept mapping as a promising method to bring practice into science.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Concept mapping is a method for developing a conceptual framework of a complex topic for use as a guide to evaluation or planning. In concept mapping, thoughts and ideas are represented in the form of a picture or map, the content of which is determined by a group of stakeholders. This study aimed to explore the suitability of this method as a tool to integrate practical knowledge with scientific knowledge in order to improve theory development as a sound basis for practical decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following a short introduction to the method of concept mapping, five Dutch studies, serving different purposes and fields in public health, will be described. The aim of these studies was: to construct a theoretical framework for good regional public health reporting; to design an implementation strategy for a guideline for integral local health policy; to guide the evaluation of a local integral approach of overweight and obesity in youth; to guide the construction of a questionnaire to measure the quality of postdisaster psychosocial care; and to conceptualize an integral base for formulation of ambitions and targets for the new youth healthcare programme of a regional health service.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The studies showed that concept mapping is a way to integrate practical and scientific knowledge with careful selection of participants that represent the different perspectives. Theory development can be improved through concept mapping; not by formulating new theories, but by highlighting the key issues and defining perceived relationships between topics. In four of the five studies, the resulting concept map was received as a sound basis for practical decision-making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concept mapping is a valuable method for evidence-based public health policy, and a powerful instrument for facilitating dialogue, coherence and collaboration between researchers, practitioners, policy makers and the public. Development of public health theory was realized by a step-by-step approach, considering both scientific and practical knowledge. However, the external validity of the concept maps in place and time is of importance.
authors.affiliation: Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Regional Health Service (GGD) Hart voor Brabant, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; Trimbos Institute, the Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.j.h.vanbon@uvt.nl.
authors.forename: M J H
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Bon-Martens
authors.affiliation: Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L A M
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: van de Goor
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Diemen, The Netherlands; Centre for Public Health Status and Forecasting (cVTV), Bilthoven, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Holsappel
authors.affiliation: Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Regional Health Service (GGD) Hart voor Brabant, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T J M
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kuunders
authors.affiliation: Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Regional Health Service (GGD) Hart voor Brabant, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jacobs-van der Bruggen
authors.affiliation: Impact, National Knowledge and Advice Centre for Psychosocial Care Concerning Critical Incidents, Diemen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J H M
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: te Brake
authors.affiliation: Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Brabant, Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Tilburg, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Centre for Public Health Status and Forecasting (cVTV), Bilthoven, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Oers
mesh_terms: D003210:Concept Formation; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D009426:Netherlands; D011050:Policy Making; D015980:Public Health Practice
keywords: Concept mapping; Evidence-based public health; Public health policy; Public health practice