Using Knowledge Exchange to Build and Sustain Community Support to Reduce Cancer Screening Inequities

"Knowledge exchange" (KE) refers to the interaction between knowledge users and researchers toward a goal of mutual learning and collaborative problem solving.

Using a case study approach, this article describes how researchers leading a multiphase community engagement project, the Peel Cancer Screening Study (PCSS), used KE to engage a community advisory group (CAG) of knowledge users to build community support for interventions to reduce cancer screening inequities for South Asians in Peel Region, Ontario, Canada.

As a result of KE activities (concept mapping, a CAG launch meeting, regular CAG meetings, workgroup meetings, a community report), there is currently a resident-targeted, community-level program being implemented and a provider-targeted intervention that is funded, with both ethnospecific and health service organizations involved. The process of KE received positive evaluations from advisory group members.

The experiences of the PCSS illustrate the benefits of KE for researchers and community members.