Open AccessSoliciting views of various communities on health research: a prelude to engagement in specific research projects
Author(s) -
Taras Howard L.,
Kalichman Michael W.,
Schulteis Gery,
Dumbauld Jill,
Bell Yvonne,
Seligman Fe Fidelis,
West Kathy D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.12249
Subject(s) - public relations , community engagement , community health , focus group , public engagement , institution , public health , political science , sociology , medicine , business , nursing , marketing , social science
Background Members of the public are increasingly engaged in health‐service and biomedical research and provide input into the content of research, design and data sharing. As there is variation among different communities on how research is perceived, to engage all sectors of the general public research institutions need to customize their approach. Objective This paper explores how research institutions and community leaders can partner to determine the best ways to engage different sectors of the public in research. Design Following a literature review, a research institution engaged with four different sectors of the public through their respective representative community‐based organizations ( CBO s) by interviews with leaders, community member focus groups and a joint project. Setting San Diego and Imperial Counties, California, United States of America (USA). Conclusion Before embarking on more specific research projects, investigators can gain valuable insights about different communities' attitudes to, and understanding of, health services and biomedical research by interacting directly with members of the community, collaborating with community leaders, and jointly identifying steps of engagement tailored to the community.