Challenges and prospects for community-partnered research

Patient Involvement in Medical Education Research: Results From an International Survey of Medical Education Researchers

There are demands to involve patients in medical education research (MER). This study surveyed researchers to examine the extent and nature of patient involvement in MER. It obtained 283 completed surveys (response rate of 5%). Of the respondents, 153 (54.1%) indicated that they involve patients in MER. Of these respondents, 102 (66.7%) stated that patients are data sources in MER, 41 (26.8%) noted that patients are involved as advisors and/or reviewers, and/or 22 (14.4%) indicated that patients are involved as team members. These respondents reported that they involve patients to improve the relevance of their MER to patients (n = 99; 64.7%), connect MER to patient outcomes (n = 98; 64.1%), and improve the appropriateness of MER (n = 92; 60.1%). The 130 respondents who do not involve patients in MER do not involve them because they believe that their research topic(s) are irrelevant to patients (n = 68; 52.3%), they have limited resources for patient involvement (n = 40; 30.8%), and/or they do not know how to involve patients (n = 28; 21.5%). Researchers need to consider how they can conduct their MER with patients.

The Involvement of Adolescents With Chronic Health Conditions in Medical Education: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we explored the involvement of adolescents with chronic health conditions in medical education. We focused specifically on adolescents' desired level of involvement in the education of medical students and residents, strategies for involving them in it, and topics on which they would feel comfortable educating these learners.

METHODS

We used a community-based participatory research approach and qualitative one-on-one semistructured interviews. Adolescents (ages 13-18) with chronic health conditions lasting >3 months who were admitted on inpatient wards and were well enough to participate in an interview were eligible. Two investigators analyzed the interview transcripts to identify common categories across the interview data.

RESULTS

A total of 17 adolescents participated. Data analysis revealed that adolescents want to be regularly involved in medical education, compensated in some way for their time and effort, and receive support and oversight in their activities. Adolescents discussed the following 5 strategies for involving them in the education of medical students and residents: face-to-face presentations, shadowing and mentoring, videos, handouts and books, and assessment feedback. Adolescents want to educate learners on their experiences and coping strategies as well as on how to interact and develop rapport with adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

The adolescents with chronic health conditions who participated in this study want to be actively involved in medical education and can provide innovative insights and strategies for doing so. However, future researchers need to explore the benefits and limitations of such involvement.

NuFit: nutrition and fitness CBPR program evaluation

The present study combines community-based participatory research (CBPR) and peer education to create NuFit, a nutrition and fitness curriculum, adapted by community and student peer leaders for Latino and African-American high-school students in Chicago. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the NuFit curriculum to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding nutrition and fitness for minority and adolescent student populations. The NuFit curriculum improved students' short-term self-reported behaviors and attitudes around nutrition and fitness. The NuFit curriculum shows promise as one mechanism to help prevent and combat childhood obesity by fostering healthy attitudes and behaviors during the critical developmental stage of adolescence. Involvement of and collaboration between community stakeholders and youth appeared to increase the likelihood of NuFit's cultural relevance and sustainability. More work is necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of NuFit.