Author:
Zimmerman Emily B.,Rafie Carlin,Wenzel Sophie G.,Hosig Kathryn,Villani Domenique,Dance Jon,Lee Samantha S.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Involving stakeholders in the research process facilitates collaboration, increasing understanding of factors influencing their wellbeing and motivating community action. Currently, there is a need for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of community-engaged research approaches for health, well-being, and engagement outcomes. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of both the SEED Method and a modified Delphi method in a participatory project to develop local strategies to address the opioid epidemic in three rural communities. The purpose of this study is to increase the level of evidence for community-engaged research methods through a randomized controlled trial.
Methods
Two communities will use the SEED Method and one will use a modified Delphi method. We aim to recruit a total of 144 participants (48 per community). The evaluation team will randomize participants to an intervention group or a control group. In addition, we will collect outcome data from the participatory research team members leading the projects in each county (n = 18) and from additional community members who participate in focus groups (n = 32). The primary outcome for all participants will be the change in self-reported civic engagement as measured by the total score on the Individual Mobilization Scale.
Discussion
In the context of participatory action to address opioid misuse in rural counties, this study will provide an understanding of the effectiveness of two community engagement methods for increasing civic engagement, as well as the extent to which participants successfully create locally tailored action strategies. The study will also explore how the observed effects differ depending on the participant’s role in the project (stakeholder participant, community research team member, or focus group participant), which is an important consideration for participatory research.
Funder
AmeriCorps
Food and Nutrition Service
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Reference42 articles.
1. Zimmerman EB, Concannon TW. Engaging patients and stakeholders in Health Research: an introduction. In: Zimmerman EB, editor. Researching Health together: engaging patients and stakeholders in Research, from Topic Identification to Policy Change. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2021. pp. 1–22.
2. Kapiriri L, Norheim OF. Whose priorities count? Comparison of community-identified health problems and burden of disease assessed health priorities in a district in Uganda. Health Expect. 2002;5(1):55–62.
3. Lomas J, Fulop N, Gagnon D, Allen P. On being a good listener: setting priorities for applied health services research. Milbank Q. 2003;81(3):363–88.
4. Entwistle VA, Renfrew MJ, Yearley S, Forrester J, Lamont T. Lay perspectives: advantages for health research. BMJ. 1998;316(7129):463–6.
5. Caron-Flinterman JF, Broerse JE, Bunders JF. The experiential knowledge of patients: a new resource for biomedical research? Soc Sci Med. 2005;60(11):2575–84.