Premium
A Participatory, Mixed Methods Approach to Define and Measure Partnership Synergy in Long‐standing Equity‐focused CBPR Partnerships
Author(s) -
Coombe Chris M.,
Chandanabhumma P. Paul,
Bhardwaj Prachi,
Brush Barbara L.,
GreeneMoton Ella,
Jensen Megan,
Lachance Laurie,
Lee S.Y. Daniel,
Meisenheimer Melanie,
Minkler Meredith,
Muhammad Michael,
Reyes Angela G.,
Rowe Zachary,
WilsonPowers Eliza,
Israel Barbara A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1002/ajcp.12447
Subject(s) - community based participatory research , general partnership , participatory action research , health equity , equity (law) , context (archaeology) , public relations , sociology , psychology , business , public health , medicine , political science , nursing , paleontology , finance , anthropology , law , biology
Understanding what contributes to success of community‐based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships is essential to ensuring their effectiveness in addressing health disparities and health inequities. Synergy, the concept of accomplishing more together than separately, is central to partnership effectiveness. However, synergy specific to long‐standing, equity‐focused CBPR partnerships has not been closely examined. To address this, we defined and developed measures of partnership synergy as one dimension of a participatory mixed methods study, Measurement Approaches to Partnership Success (MAPS), to develop a validated instrument to measure success in long‐standing CBPR partnerships. Framed by a conceptual model and scoping literature review, we conducted in‐depth interviews with a national panel of academic and community experts in CBPR and equity to develop partnership synergy measures. Items were refined through an iterative process, including a three‐stage Delphi process, comparison with existing measures, cognitive interviews, and pilot testing. Seven questionnaire items were developed to measure synergy arising from equitable partnerships bringing together diverse partners across power differences to promote equity. Defining and measuring synergy in the context of long‐standing partnership success is central to understanding the role of synergy in collaborative approaches to research and action and can strengthen CBPR partnerships to promote healthy communities and advance health equity.