Community-based participatory research with indigenous communities: the proximity paradox

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a promising approach used with increasing prevalence in health research with underserviced Indigenous communities in rural and remote locations. This case comparison used CBPR principles to examine the characteristics of two collaborative research projects in Canada. Both projects reflected CBPR principles in unique ways with particular differences related to community access and proximity of collaborating partners. CBPR principles are often used and recommended for partnerships involving remote underserviced communities, however many of these principles were easier to follow for the collaboration with a relatively well serviced community in close proximity to researchers, and more challenging to follow for a remote underserviced community. The proximity paradox is an apparent contradiction in the increasing application of CBPR principles for use in distal partnerships with remote Indigenous communities when many of these same principles are nearly impossible to follow. CBPR principles are much easier to apply in proximal partnerships because they afford an environment where collaborative relationships can be developed and sustained.