Quantitative Evaluation of the Community Research Fellows Training Program.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Background:

• The Community Research Fellows Training (CRFT) program is a 15-week community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiative in St. Louis.
• It is based on a Master of Public Health curriculum and implemented by Washington University School of Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure knowledge gained by participants in the CRFT program.
• To evaluate participant and faculty satisfaction with the program's learning objectives and community engagement.

Main Methods:

• 44 community members completed baseline and follow-up knowledge assessments.
• Pre- and post-tests were administered after 12 sessions.
• Participant and faculty evaluations assessed satisfaction and community engagement.

Main Results:

• Participant knowledge increased by an average of 16.5 points (p < 0.0001).
• Post-test scores significantly improved compared to pre-test scores for most sessions.
• Both participants and faculty reported high satisfaction with the training sessions.

Conclusions:

• The CRFT program effectively increased community knowledge and satisfaction among participants and faculty.
• The program strengthened the infrastructure for CBPR.
• CRFT has led to pilot projects addressing health disparities in the St. Louis area.