Development of a Diabetes Rural Stakeholder Research Team and Patient-Centered Research Agenda

Background: Unmet type 1 diabetes (T1D) needs in rural communities require collaborative academic-community partnerships to develop and test novel health care strategies. Objectives: The purpose of this community-based participatory project was to (a) build a robust community-academic research partnership, (b) complete individual and community-level research capacity building, and (c) develop a rural T1D patient-centered research agenda. Methodology: We implemented a four-strategy stakeholder engagement plan by (1) assessing capacities for active collaboration; (2) identifying partners within new and established networks; (3) reframing the health issue for research; and (4) developing and nurturing the partnerships. Findings: We successfully met the project objectives and continue to conduct impactful interprofessional, community-engaged research projects grounded in our co-developed research agenda that addresses lifestyle changes after T1D diagnosis, lack of access to care, and reinforce resourcefulness and technology use in rural communities.Conclusion: Developing a stakeholder engagement plan before research implementation can promote sustainable community-academic research collaborations.