An Innovative Simulation-based Community-engaged Intervention for Training Research Assistants in Culturally...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research ethics
• Community-based participatory research
• Health equity

Background:

• Enrolling under-represented groups in biomedical research faces challenges due to health literacy, historical abuses, and mistrust.
• Effective informed consent processes and research assistant (RA) training are crucial to overcome these barriers.
• Simulation methods offer a novel approach to train RAs in culturally sensitive research practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the development, implementation, and preliminary findings of the Simulation-based Community-engaged Research Intervention for Informed Consent Protocol Testing and Training (SCRIIPTT).
• To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability of a community-engaged training model for informed consent.

Main Methods:

• A 12-month community-academic partnership developed and piloted SCRIIPTT.
• Utilized the Truth & Reconciliation Model to acknowledge past research wrongs and foster trust.
• Engaged community advisors (CAs) to train RAs using simulated informed consent encounters and a performance checklist.

Main Results:

• The SCRIIPTT training manual, scenarios, and checklist effectively measured RA performance.
• RAs reported significant improvements in knowledge, self-confidence, and cultural competence in obtaining informed consent.
• CAs reported positive engagement, feeling valued, and having positive experiences during simulations.

Conclusions:

• The pilot study demonstrated SCRIIPTT's feasibility, effectiveness, and acceptability.
• SCRIIPTT provides an innovative model for community engagement in research training.
• The intervention enhances RAs' skills in culturally appropriate informed consent, potentially improving research inclusivity.