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Britez Ferrante E, Blady S, Sheu D, Maitra MR, Drakes J, Lieberman A, Mussell A, Bair EF, Hearn CM, Thorbecke L, Zhu J, Kohn R. Operationalizing Equity, Inclusion, and Access in Research Practice at a Large Academic Institution. J Gen Intern Med 2024; 39:1037-1047. [PMID: 38302812 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08539-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Healthcare advances are hindered by underrepresentation in prospective research; sociodemographic, data, and measurement infidelity in retrospective research; and a paucity of guidelines surrounding equitable research practices. OBJECTIVE The Joint Research Practices Working Group was created in 2021 to develop and disseminate guidelines for the conduct of inclusive and equitable research. METHODS Volunteer faculty and staff from two research centers at the University of Pennsylvania initiated a multi-pronged approach to guideline development, including literature searches, center-level feedback, and mutual learning with local experts. RESULTS We developed guidelines for (1) participant payment and incentives; (2) language interpretation and translation; (3) plain language in research communications; (4) readability of study materials; and (5) inclusive language for scientific communications. Key recommendations include (1) offer cash payments and multiple payment options to participants when required actions are completed; (2) identify top languages of your target population, map points of contact, and determine available interpretation and translation resources; (3) assess reading levels of materials and simplify language, targeting 6th- to 8th-grade reading levels; (4) improve readability through text formatting and style, symbols, and visuals; and (5) use specific, humanizing terms as adjectives rather than nouns. CONCLUSIONS Diversity, inclusion, and access are critical values for research conduct that promotes justice and equity. These values can be operationalized through organizational commitment that combines bottom-up and top-down approaches and through partnerships across organizations that promote mutual learning and synergy. While our guidelines represent best practices at one time, we recognize that practices evolve and need to be evaluated continuously for accuracy and relevance. Our intention is to bring awareness to these critical topics and form a foundation for important conversations surrounding equitable and inclusive research practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Britez Ferrante
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shira Blady
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dorothy Sheu
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Medha Romee Maitra
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Josiah Drakes
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Adina Lieberman
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adam Mussell
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth F Bair
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caleb M Hearn
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leo Thorbecke
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Digital Health, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jingsan Zhu
- Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics (CHIBE) at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Kohn
- Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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