Samantha A. Marks, PharmD June 19, 2015 An Introduction to Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Do we need CBPR? Traditional research approaches have failed to solve health disparities Cannot address the complex interplay of individual, intrapersonal, community, and societal influences on health Do not always address the true needs of the community Communities may not have access to research findings CBPR is one approach to addressing the limitations of traditional research

What is CBPR? “A collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strength that each brings…” Partnership between researchers and communities Ultimate goal is to achieve social change Researchers are more effective when they receive feedback and involvment from the community

Principles of CBPR Recognizes community as a unit of identity Builds on strengths and resources within a community Facilitates collaborative partnerships in all phases of the research Integrates knowledge and action for mutual benefit of all partners Promotes a co-learning and empowering process that attends to social inequalities Involves a cyclical and iterative process Addresses health from both positive and ecological perspectives Disseminates findings and knowledge gained to all partners

Let’s Compare… Traditional ResearchCBPR Community members are the “subjects” Researchers control design, data collection, and interpretation Research disseminated to the academic community (i.e. academic journals) Communities are the partners Communities are involved in all aspects of the research Findings are communicated and applied directly back to the community

CBPR: First Steps Assemble a research team Community + Academic Researchers

CBPR: First Steps Set priorities Develop a structure for shared decision making Shared mission statement Values contract Understand the priorities of each partner Be flexible! Community and researcher priorities may change

CBPR: First Steps Develop the research questions Needs Assessment What does the community really need?

CBPR: First Steps Identify sources of funding and develop grant proposals Community leaders involved in writing and proposal design Set a timeline, establish deadlines Be respectful of the differing timelines and priorities between communities and academic partnerships Be upfront about deadlines and about the length of time between submission and funding What do we do if funding falls through?

CBPR: After funding Where is the community involved? Everywhere! Research design Participant recruitment Data collection Data analysis & Interpretation Dissemination

CBPR: The Challenges Time Trust Obtaining buy-in Developing community ability to fully participate and partner Skill building Research ethics training

How can we apply these methods? Involve all key stakeholders in the entire research process Patients, healthcare providers, social service providers, community workers… Develop research questions that address community needs What are the community-level barriers to lifestyle changes? Focus groups, surveys, etc. Design an intervention that addresses the highest priority areas Recruit and evaluate the results of the intervention Report findings directly back to the community Adjust methods and priorities as we go

CBPR: The Challenges Resolving conflicts Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing Dissemination of findings Look outside the traditional route- how does the community want the information presented? Role of social media? Cultural competence

References Scarinci IC. Community-based participatory research. y-based_%20Participatory_Research.ppt. y-based_%20Participatory_Research.ppt Community-Campus Partnership for Health. CBPR Curriculum. curriculum-unit-1-section-1-3https://ccph.memberclicks.net/cbpr- curriculum-unit-1-section-1-3 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The Role of Community-Based Participatory Research.