Development of a Community-engaged Research Training Workshop for Clinician-Scientists and Early-stage Investigators

Community-engaged research (CEnR), a collaboration between academics and community partners, is an effective approach in addressing the social drivers of health (SDOH) and health disparities in local communities. Yet, CEnR training is often not a standard component of training programs in research or clinical programs. To meet the need for CEnR training, we developed and implemented a workshop to increase CEnR knowledge and skills among clinician-scientists and early-stage investigators (ESIs), and create opportunities for ongoing mentorship and professional development. In this manuscript, we discuss the organization of this workshop, learning objectives, supporting activities, and follow-up methods to facilitate a successful and engaging training experience. The workshop was developed through collaborative efforts with experts in CEnR, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), cancer disparities, and SDOH. The workshop focused on (1) an introduction to CEnR and the opportunity for attendees to develop their own CEnR research ideas; (2) varied presentations, interactive activities, experiential learning, and discussion topics to fulfill the workshop's learning objectives; (3) year-long opportunities for professional development and continued mentorship; and (4) evaluations of the workshop. Twenty-four ESIs and 11 clinician-scientists participated in the workshop. Using survey methods and descriptive statistics, the workshop was evaluated positively by participants. This manuscript provides guidance for both in-person and virtual workshop formats, from inception to implementation, and recommendations for other workshop facilitators. The impact of these workshops has the potential to have positive downstream implications for community-engaged research.