Sustained Community Involvement in Translational Research: Evaluating the Acceptability of a Multisession Community...

Area of Science:

• Community-based participatory research
• Translational science
• Health equity

Background:

• Traditional Community Engagement Studios (CE Studios) involve single panels for research input.
• Sustained community involvement is crucial for effective translational research.
• Bridging the gap between academic institutions and marginalized communities requires innovative engagement models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To expand the CE Studio approach for deeper, sustained community involvement in translational research.
• To assess the impact of multiple, diverse panels and prolonged engagement over two years.
• To inform the development of a health information platform for underserved populations.

Main Methods:

• Conducted multiple virtual CE Studio sessions over two years with diverse community expert panels (African American, Asian American, Latinx).
• Utilized a Community Health Worker (CHW) for outreach, recruitment, orientation, and facilitation.
• Collected data through post-participation surveys and focus groups.

Main Results:

• Participants reported stronger bonds with the research institution and increased appreciation for translational research.
• The CHW's role was vital for trust-building and sustained engagement.
• Diverse perspectives significantly shaped research design and technology development.

Conclusions:

• The expanded CE Studio approach, facilitated by a CHW, enhances translational research rigor through sustained, diverse community engagement.
• This model effectively bridges gaps between academic institutions and historically marginalized communities.
• Despite challenges like attendance fluctuations, the approach offers a promising framework for equitable research partnerships.