The Stacked Community Engagement model: A practical model for developing community-engaged academic medical faculty

Area of Science:

• Academic Health Centers
• Community Engagement
• Faculty Development

Background:

• Community engagement (CE) offers benefits to academic health centers and communities.
• Faculty, learners, and community members face time and resource competition for CE projects.
• This competition can discourage academic medical faculty participation in CE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a conceptual model for developing community-engaged academic medical faculty.
• To identify challenges faced by community-engaged academic faculty.
• To explore the generalizability, validity, and robustness of the proposed model.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and expert practitioner opinion were used to identify CE challenges and successful project characteristics.
• The Stacked Community Engagement (CE) model was developed.
• The model was illustrated in heterogeneous CE programs.

Main Results:

• The Stacked CE model provides a practical framework for examining sustained partnerships.
• Application to The Food Doctors and StreetLife Communities programs demonstrated the model's utility.
• The model facilitated examination of sustained success in community-academic partnerships.

Conclusions:

• The Stacked CE model is a valuable framework for developing community-engaged academic medical faculty.
• Integrating CE into professional activities with intention enhances connections and sustainability.
• This model supports deeper community connections and project longevity.