What does it take to support community-engaged research in an academic medical center? A mixed-methods study of...

There is growing focus on community-engaged research (CEnR) in the clinical and translational sciences, supportive policies, environments, and processes within academic medical centers. The purpose of this evaluation was to gather academic and community member perspectives on key actionable strategies for supporting CEnR in an academic medical center.

We used a sequential mixed method design by first conducting qualitative in-depth interviews with academic leaders, investigators, and staff (total, n = 54) and focus group discussions with community members (n = 33). Themes from these qualitative data informed the adaptation of an institutional survey that gathered perspectives from a broader group of academic and community members affiliated with the institution (n = 85). Both qualitative and quantitative data were integrated to inform actionable strategies.

Survey findings revealed that the institution was perceived as committed to health equity and CEnR, but institutional respondents expressed more concerns than community members about instrumental support of the work. Interviews and focus groups highlighted the opportunity to better align research efforts with community needs through more robust CEnR infrastructure and through interface with the clinical practice to promote patient access. Academic and community members emphasized the need for authentic, sustained engagement beyond federal mandates, including financial investment, capacity-building, and fostering trust. Leaders acknowledged structural challenges, siloed efforts, and the necessity for stronger coordination to increase integration of community engagement into the institutional mission.

Findings suggest that aligning academic leaders, researchers, staff perspectives, and community members is essential to support and promote CEnR at an institutional level.