205064 Community engagement: A critical element in the development, implementation, and translation of clinical health research

Monday, November 9, 2009

Patricia Piechowski, MPH, MSW, MA , Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Molly Dwyer-White , Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Donald Vereen, MD, MPH , Community-Based Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Dana L. Thomas, MPH , Community-Based Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Nichole Washington , Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs), funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provide a consortium and a funding mechanism to develop and expand clinical health research infrastructures and improve the way biomedical research is conducted in institutions throughout the country. A required element of the CTSAs is a “Community Engagement” (CE) component devised by each research site to actively integrate community participation in the development, execution, and translation of clinical health research. In 2007, the University of Michigan was awarded a CTSA and the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR) was created. In the planning phases of MICHR's CE Program, community partners and faculty leads from multiple disciplines agreed that a direct partnership between MICHR and its established Office of Community-Based Public Health at the School of Public Health (SPH) was crucial to fulfill the vision of the CTSA and to improve clinical and translational research across disciplines at the University. This presentation will describe the process of developing partnerships with various schools, community-based entities within the University, and community-based organizations. Included will be an overview of the structures and processes created to facilitate full community engagement and participation in clinical and translational health research. The extent to which the principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) can be applied will be reviewed.

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate the critical role of community engagement and participation in the successful execution of clinical and translational health research. Analyze to what extent the principles of CBPR can be applied.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently the Clinical Research Liaison working for Community Engagement Program at the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research and Community-Based Public Health at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. I received my MPH in Health Behavior & Health Education and MSW in Interpersonal Practice from the University of Michigan. These degrees, as well as my MA in African Studies from UCLA, have provided my research and program management skills that are required for this position that creates new and supports ongoing community-academic partnerships in clinical and translational research. I have had past professional experiences working on health disparities research as well as community-based public health both in the U.S. and abroad.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: CBPR: Creating Common Ground for Building Healthy Communities
See more of: Community-Based Public Health Caucus