A Framework for Research Training in Communities Dr. Jim Frankish UBC Institute of Health Promotion Research

Contact The Institute of Health Promotion Research The University of British Columbia #414 – 2206 East Mall, LPC Building Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Fax: (604)

PCHR Mission Statement PCHR offers training opportunities in transdisciplinary, community-based health research. Our mission is to develop creative ways for academic andu community learners to effectively integrate research with policy and practice. Our priorities include:  improving health systems, by developing innovative management strategies powerful preventive-care interventions enhanced health-care services  enabling evidence-based decisions  promoting a greater focus on determinants of health and reducing health disparities  creating healthy workplaces

The Revolution in Healthcare  Driving reform and redesign of health system  Creating new research challenges: accountability evidence key health determinants recruitment and retention  PCHR offers the potential for collaborative, efficient and seamless solutions

Partnership, an Opportunity To:  Generate solutions to immediate problems  Train employees in specialized research methods  Build teams and capacity  Translate research into practice  Train and recruit future employees

About PCHR  Six year research training program  Funded by CIHR and MSFHR  To foster links between research, policy and practice Organized around:

Clusters Health Services Vulnerable Populations Workplace Health Working groups of learners & mentors with a shared commitment to community partnership research, focusing on three overarching themes:

Cluster-Based Learning Innovative solution focused approach to adult education.  Clusters solve specific real world health service research problems  Groups collaborate to define problems and generate feasible solutions  Clusters will be brought together to collaborate for cross-cluster learning, such as specific training workshops (e.g. statistics, program evaluation etc.)

Community Health Services Research: primary health care renewal, with a focus on chronic disease management- this year among shelter and food service providers Vulnerable Populations Research: health literacy, evaluation of a health promotion comic book and local community capacity building Workplace Health Research: developing and evaluating interventions to reduce injuries in healthcare organizations; processes R.N.s in acute care setting use when addressing aggression and violence. Learners and mentors, from both academia and the health, work in partnership to address real research priorities: Research Clusters Both personal and career benefits: new knowledge breadth of experience and learning new relationships and networking with people- academics, VCH mentors, and especially cluster members (from so many walks of life) Downside: Time commitment- ‘but it was still worth it’ Individual Benefits & Costs to VCH Staff Mentors Academic mentors: affiliated with a post-secondary institution Community mentors: from community-based, mainly health institutions. Mentors: Provide guidance to learning; Assist in navigating the systems of partnering organizations; and Provide networking opportunities to learners and other mentors. Fosters research targeted at local health needs; Strengthens linkages between research and policy and/or practice; Promotes interdisciplinary health research. Partnering in Community Health Research (PCHR) is an innovative trans-disciplinary training program in its fourth year. Program participants learn research skills required to resolve real health system problems. include approx. 20 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, community learners, academic and community mentors with a range of disciplines and professions. At least 8/20 participants have been VCH employees. PCHR: Bring learners together to work through common issues Provide a venue to learn from each other. Cross-Cluster Learning Events Events include Learner and mentor orientations; Workshops and skill-building sessions; and A year-end presentation day. Cluster-Based Learning Community-based learning environments; Shared learning among diverse members; and Project-based teamwork on actual community research priorities. Clusters provide: Fertile collaborative learning environments; Problem-based learning; and Research that meets a health system need.

Current Realities Limited time commitments Different schedules Competing priorities Geographic spread Different interests Inadequate structure for involving mentors