Partnership payoff: Conducting H1N1 studies on the fly

Participatory research has increasingly been recognized as critical to the success and meaningfulness of research endeavors. The ability to rapidly conduct the H1N1 studies described in this session depended on existing partnerships between the NC Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center (NCPERRC), a program of the North Carolina Institute for Public Health, and the NC Division of Public Health and the NC Association of Local Health Directors. The NCPERRC includes a Synergy and Translation Committee comprised of center and the NC Division of Public Health and the NC Association of Local Health Directors representatives. This committee advises on research translation to practice, provides oversight of the research program, and facilitates communication and information sharing. During the committee's May 2009 meeting, representatives identified concrete H1N1 study activities that would assist in analysis of state-wide H1N1 response activities and inform preparedness research efforts. The Division of Public Health conducted several data collection activities with local agencies in June 2009. The NC PERCC H1N1 study protocols built on these data collection activities to avoid duplication. State and local agency representatives reviewed the H1N1 study protocols and advised NCPERCC researchers as to how to best engage local health departments to participate in the study. This participatory research approach resulted in local agencies immediate agreement to participate in the study and successful implementation of the research protocols. In addition, NCPERCC will analyze data collected by the Division of Public Health to inform the state's preparedness efforts.