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Collins CC, Shediac-Rizkallah M, Dolata J, Hood E, Nonguierma E, Thornton D. "They should've talked to us more": lay health advisors' experiences with community-engaged hypertension research. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2024; 10:11. [PMID: 38273412 PMCID: PMC10809536 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-024-00544-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lay health advisors (LHAs) are increasingly being used to increase patient and public involvement in research, disseminate health information, and work toward preventing health disparities within communities at risk. This research explored LHAs' experiences with training and recruiting for a hypertension research project which ended due to minimal enrollment. METHODS The methodological design was qualitative description. One face-to-face semi-structured focus group was held with eight African American LHAs in Cleveland, Ohio, in the fall of 2019. The focus group was digitally recorded and transcribed by a professional transcriptionist and thematically analyzed. RESULTS Trainees reflected on how much they learned from the training and described feeling passionate and excited about their community work for the project. We identified three key themes from the data: (1) Systemic and Institutional Factors Affected LHAs' Experiences (subthemes: Unnecessarily Burdensome Requirements and Exploitation of Community Members for Research Gain; (2) Feeling Used Yet Unseen: Exclusion from Decision-Making Processes; (3) Worrying that Project Termination Damaged their Reputation; and (4) Disengaging from Research. We share lessons learned, including the need for LHAs' expertise to be integrated into research studies, and for projects to establish clear communication and expectations regarding research rigor and requirements. CONCLUSION Our results have implications for future studies attempting to build equitable and strong academic-community relationships to yield rigorous and useful research to reduce health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyleste C Collins
- School of Social Work, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave, RT 1438, Cleveland, 44115, OH, USA.
| | - Mona Shediac-Rizkallah
- Center For Health Equity, Engagement, Education, and Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA
| | - Jacqueline Dolata
- Population Health Institute, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA
| | | | - Elodie Nonguierma
- Center For Health Equity, Engagement, Education, and Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA
| | - Daryl Thornton
- Center For Health Equity, Engagement, Education, and Research, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA
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Dolata J, Collins C, Jewett-Tennant J, Nonguierma E, Merker J, Mastnardo D, Vue C, Kiley K, Terstenyak P. Building Research for Academic and Community Equity (BRACE): A Toolkit for Community Research Partnerships. Health Promot Pract 2023:15248399231221157. [PMID: 38153025 DOI: 10.1177/15248399231221157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Health and human service community organizations and researchers have important insights and resources to share with each other, yet often have very little information about how to interact in meaningful and equitable ways. Conceptualized by and for community organization professionals wanting to equitably interact with academic researchers, BRACE (Building Research for Academic and Community Equity) is a toolkit easily accessible to community members which explains research information and jargon in clear terms. BRACE uses community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles to guide both community organizations and academics seeking to partner on research. The BRACE toolkit's two main sections focus on identifying ideal aspects of community-academic research partnerships and writing grant proposals. Tools such as BRACE have the potential to increase the impact of community-engaged research by providing concrete guides for building partnerships and potentially sustaining them through grant funding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Dolata
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Elodie Nonguierma
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Diane Mastnardo
- Massage of Northern Ohio Practice Based Research Network, Westlake, OH, USA
| | - Cathy Vue
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Seattle, WA, USA
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Gnan G, Asif Z, Campbell S, Dyer J, Ehsan A, Hoffmann K, Kienzler H, Mellick S, Martin N, Osei C, Rebello A, Remouche I, Rhead R, Richards D, Sabra I, Sabra S, Sterk P, Woodhead C, Hatch S. A mixed methods PAR study investigating social capital as a resource for Black and other racially minoritised communities in the UK: A study protocol. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296125. [PMID: 38128005 PMCID: PMC10734924 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how different Black and other racially minoritised communities thrive is an emerging priority area in mental health promotion. Literature demonstrates health benefits of social capital (social resources embedded within social networks). However, its effects are not always positive, particularly for certain subpopulations who are already disadvantaged.The CONtributions of social NEtworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT) study will use Participatory Action Research (PAR) to investigate social capital as a resource that benefits (or hinders) racially minoritised communities and their mental health. The CONNECT study was designed within a partnership with community organisations and responds to local policy in two South-East London Boroughs, thereby providing potential channels for the action component of PAR. Taking an anti-racism lens, we acknowledge the underpinning role of racism in creating health inequities. We apply an intersectional framework to be considerate of overlapping forms of oppression such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation as an essential part of developing effective strategies to tackle health inequities. Key components of this mixed methods PAR study include (1) involving racialised minority community members as peer researchers in the team (2) collecting and analysing primary qualitative data via interviews, photovoice, and community mapping workshops, (3) developing relevant research questions guided by peer researchers and collaborating organisations and analysing secondary quantitative data accordingly, (4) integrating qualitative and quantitative phases, and (5) working closely with community and policy partners to act on our findings and use our research for social change.The PAR approach will allow us to engage community (voluntary sector and government) and academic partners in decision making and help address imbalances in power and resource allocation. Knowledge generated through this collaborative approach will contribute to existing community initiatives, policies, and council strategies. This will ensure the views and experiences of racially minoritised communities drive the changes we are collaboratively committed to achieving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Gnan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zara Asif
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, School of Global Affairs, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanchika Campbell
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anna Ehsan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katrin Hoffmann
- Centre for Global Mental Health and Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hanna Kienzler
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, School of Global Affairs, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shabbir Mellick
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathaniel Martin
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl Osei
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abreen Rebello
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Imade Remouche
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Rhead
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Denise Richards
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ibrahim Sabra
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Sabra
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pippa Sterk
- Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, School of Education, Communication and Society, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Woodhead
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephani Hatch
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Sheikhattari P, Apata J, Silver GB, Mehravaran S, Mitchell E, Assari S. Small CBPR Grants Program: An Innovative Model to Build Sustainable Academic-Community Partnerships. METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITIES 2023; 34:7-19. [PMID: 38222460 PMCID: PMC10786409 DOI: 10.18060/27204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an effective approach for addressing health disparities by integrating diverse knowledge and expertise from both academic and community partners throughout the research process. However, more is needed to invest in the foundational infrastructure and resources that are necessary for building and maintaining lasting trusting research partnerships and supporting them to generate impactful CBPR-based research knowledge and solutions. Small CBPR Grants Program is a CBPR-seed-funding program that may be particularly helpful to minority-serving institutions' and universities' goal to invest in genuine community-engaged participatory research. Between 2016 and 2019, the Morgan State University Prevention Sciences Research Center, in collaboration with other community and academic organizations, provided 14 small CBPR awards to new partnerships, and evaluated the success and challenges of the program over a period of three years. To achieve our goal, technical support and training were provided to these partnerships to help with their growth and success. The expected outcomes included trusting relationships and equitable partnerships, as well as publications, presentations, and new proposals and awards to work on mutually identified issues. The program's resulted in continued partnerships beyond the program (in most cases), a founded CBPR Center namely ASCEND, and several secured additional fundings. Keys to the program's success were supporting the formation of research partnerships through networking opportunities and information sessions, as well as providing small grants to incentivize the development of innovative concepts and projects. A learning network and local support group were also created to enhance productivity and the overall impact of each project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam Sheikhattari
- Prevention Sciences Research Center, School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University
- Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, Morgan CARES Community Engagement Core, Morgan State University
| | - Jummai Apata
- Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, Morgan CARES Community Engagement Core, Morgan State University
| | - Gillian Beth Silver
- Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, Morgan CARES Community Engagement Core, Morgan State University
| | | | - Emma Mitchell
- Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, Morgan CARES Community Engagement Core, Morgan State University
| | - Shervin Assari
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Department of Family Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
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