Health professional faculty perspectives on community-based research: implications for policy and practice

Community-based research (CBR) has become central to the understanding and elimination of health disparities within the USA and across the globe. The authors sought to determine the perspectives of health professional faculty on the factors affecting their involvement in CBR and the extent of community participation in that research. Faculty from 18 health professional schools in the USA identified by their deans as being leaders in CBR completed a written survey. Respondents reported that between 5-10% of faculty in their schools were involved in CBR. Public perception of the university, familiarity with community-based organization leaders and institutional leadership were cited as the most significant factors contributing to a school's involvement in CBR. Long-term community relationships, recognition in tenure and promotion policies and access to funding were cited as factors that support faculty in conducting CBR. The authors conclude that a more significant investment of public and private funds, the development of interdisciplinary institutional structures for community partnerships and a more inclusive definition of scholarship are needed to achieve a central role for CBR in efforts to understand and eliminate health disparities.