Healthy Idaho Clinical and Translational Research Development Program Community Engagement and Outreach Committee

Boise State University, Boise ID

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH (CEO) CORE The goal of the Healthy Idaho Clinical & Translational Research Development (CTR-D) Program is to promote and advance the impact of clinical and translational (C&T) research conducted within the state of Idaho. The Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core will contribute to this goal by strengthening researcher and community relationships to facilitate community-engaged research that addresses the needs of all Idahoans. The CEO Core has proposed the following four specific aims: (1) Deliver CEO-tailored trainings and resources; (2) Launch the Idaho Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) to meaningfully engage and support community clinics in research; (3) Establish patient and clinician community advisory boards (CABs) to ensure alignment with community priorities and responsiveness to needs of Idahoans; (4) Evaluate the CEO Core activities to continuously improve community engagement. In Aim 1, we will evaluate researchers' perceived barriers to community engagement and populations of research interest through a survey. The data will be used to create training and resources by those with experience in community-engaged research through online seminars, population-specific programming, and email groups. In Aim 2, the Idaho Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) will be established. This will involve robust infrastructure development, including the creation of governance systems, study intake and implementation processes, and research and non-research benefits. We will pilot an initial study and support execution of other studies from researchers and clinicians. In Aim 3, CABs will be developed separately for both patients and clinicians. Members will be recruited from Idaho’s seven public health districts, with at least one representative from each district. CABs will seek to identify and understand patients’ and clinicians’ perception of health priorities and needs. In addition to CABs, statewide government agencies and regional health organizations have committed their support to this project in a variety of ways, including informing our efforts. In Aim 4, Core activities will be evaluated to inform continuous improvement efforts and ensure community engagement and responsiveness. The proposed approach for CEO Core activities will help achieve our vision of a unified, multidirectional, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged approach to research that is grounded in the health priorities of Idahoans. In doing so, we will also help achieve the goal of the Healthy Idaho CTR-D Program to promote and advance the impact of C&T research within the state of Idaho.