Experiences and Lessons Learned in Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Recruit Asian American Immigrant Research Participants

PURPOSE

By 2050, the number of international migrants is expected to double from 214 million people. Of these, Asian immigrants are projected to comprise the largest foreign-born population in the United States by the year 2065. Asian American immigrants experience numerous health disparities, but remain under-represented in health research. The purpose of this article is to examine the experiences and lessons learned in applying community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles to access and recruit a sample of Asian American research participants.

APPROACH

This article reviews unique barriers to research participation among Asian Americans, describes the principles of CBPR, and provides examples of how these principles were employed to bridge recruitment challenges within a qualitative study.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

CBPR facilitated greater research participation among a group of immigrant Asian Americans. Researchers must be additionally mindful of the importance of building trusting relationships with their community partners, understanding the significance of shared experiences, considering fears around immigration status, and considering ongoing challenges in identifying and reaching hidden populations.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Clinicians and researchers can employ CBPR principles to guide their work with Asian immigrant communities and other under-represented groups to facilitate access to the population, improve participant recruitment, and foster engagement and collaboration.

Diabetes care and service access among elderly Vietnamese with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Vietnamese patients are disproportionately represented in type 2 diabetes mellitus statistics and also incur high rates of diabetes complications. This situation is compounded by limited access to health care. The aim of this project was to gain a deeper understanding of the difficulties Vietnamese patients experience when accessing services and managing their type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to identify factors that are important in promoting health service use.

METHODS

Three focus groups with 15 Vietnamese participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 60 to >70 years of age, were conducted in Vietnamese. Open-ended questions were used and focussed on experiences of living with diabetes and access to healthcare services in the Inner Northwest Melbourne region. Audio recordings were transcribed and then translated into English. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis framework.

RESULTS

Findings indicate four main themes, which together provide some insight into the experiences of living with diabetes and accessing ongoing care and support, for elderly Vietnamese with type 2 diabetes. Themes included: (1) the value of being healthy; (2) controlling diabetes; (3) staying healthy; and (4) improving services and information access.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants in this study were encouraged to adhere to diabetes self-management principles, based largely on a fear of medical complications. Important aspects of healthcare access were identified as; being treated with respect, having their questions answered and having access to interpreters and information in Vietnamese. Attention to these details is likely to lead to improved access to healthcare services and ultimately to improve glycemic control and overall health status for this community.