ABSTRACT
There is increasing interest in understanding the impact of clinical and behavioral interventions in real-world settings. In this commentary, we draw on our experiences as partners in community engagement research to illustrate its effectiveness and practicality to reach and serve marginalized individuals across a spectrum of needs.
Subject(s)
Community-Based Participatory Research/organization & administration , Social Marginalization , Translational Research, Biomedical/organization & administration , Health Services Needs and Demand , HumansABSTRACT
This paper describes the use of a unique "Learning and FeedbackË® approach to customize cancer clinical trials education programs for Community Bridges, a peer training intervention designed for African-American communities in North Carolina. Generic community education modules were demonstrated with key community leaders who were designated as trainers. Quantitative and qualitative assessments were provided on understanding of content, comfort with material, and cultural relevance. The generic materials were adapted into three revised modules, all featuring key messages about cancer clinical trials, discussion regarding distrust of medical research, common misconceptions about trials, patient protections, and a call to action to prompt increased inquiry about locally available trials. The revised modules were then used as part of a train-the-trainer program with 12 African-American community leaders. ENACCT's use of the Learning and Feedback process is an innovative method for culturally adapting clinical trials education.
Subject(s)
Black or African American/education , Clinical Trials as Topic , Community-Based Participatory Research/organization & administration , Cooperative Behavior , Neoplasms/prevention & control , Patient Education as Topic , Humans , Patient ParticipationABSTRACT
For African Americans facing advanced cancer, churches are trusted sources of support and ideal settings to improve access to supportive care. The Support Team model enhances community support for practical, emotional, and spiritual caregiving. We report on focus groups with pastors of 23 Black Churches and explore their perspective on the Support Team model for church members with cancer. Pastors describe the needs of church members facing cancer from a holistic perspective and recognize opportunities for synergistic faith-health collaboration. The results of this study indicate potential benefits of the Support Team model in Black Churches to reduce silent suffering among individuals facing cancer.
