A participatory, case study approach was used to identify successful strategies for breast and cervical cancer screening among tribal programs funded by the American Indian/Alaska Native Initiative of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. A case study design was selected because it is well-suited to examining complex program activities that are best understood in the context in which they occur. A participatory approach was adopted in recognition of the critical importance of including program and community members as key collaborators in all phases of the research process. This presentation describes the principles underlying the participatory approach and the practical steps that were followed to implement it. Participation principles were achieved through the involvement of tribal programs in the study design, and through close working relationships between site coordinators (research staff) and liaisons (community representatives). The latter were hired by each of the five case study sites for the express purpose of working with research staff to carry out data collection and analysis activities. Key attributes of the participatory process included: allowing for an extensive planning phase that involved input from a variety of people and perspectives, hiring liaisons, keeping open lines of communication, jointly selecting interviewees, involving program staff in data coding and analysis, being respectful of local beliefs and practices, and jointly identifying opportunities for sharing project results. The participatory approach was time-consuming but resulted in high quality data of benefit to the participating communities, and enhanced respect and trust among all participants.
Learning Objectives: 1. Articulate the principles of participatory research. 2. Describe how these principles were put into practice in case studies of successful strategies for cancer screening among American Indian and Alaska Native women. 3. Understand the benefits and rewards of adopting a participatory approach to conducting case studies of community-based programs.
Keywords: Collaboration, Cancer Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.