141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

289854
Development of a community-academic partnership in patient centered outcomes research

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 1:10 PM - 1:30 PM

Alicia Curtin, PhD, RNP , College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN , College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Donna Schwartz-Barcott, PhD, RN , College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Shahla Yekta, MPH, PhD , GAIA Vaccine Foundation, Providence, RI
Alison Tovar, PhD , Nutrition and Food Science, University of Rhode Island, College of Environment and Life Sciences, Kingston, RI
Lisa Di Maria, MS, RN , College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Anne De Groot, M.D. , Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic, Providence, RI
The need to develop community–academic partnerships is critical to building an effective patient-centered health care system. This project describes the development of a community-academic research partnership between the University of Rhode Island, College of Nursing and Clinica Esperanza. This partnership focuses on health care innovation, patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), and community-driven approaches to reduce health disparities. A number of key factors are important to the success of this partnership including 1). building on strengths and resources in the community, 2). collaborating throughout all phases of the research, and 3). promoting co-learning with a primary focus on social inequalities. The goals of the partnership are to bring together academic researchers and communities to establish trust, build community capacity and address community-identified needs and health problems. Four health needs were identified: mental health, nutrition, physical activity and prevention of diabetes. Each of these areas was addressed by community members with navegante involvement. Navegantes are bilingual/bicultural community outreach workers who are trained and empowered to advocate for patients, make free health care referrals, provide one-on-one and group health education sessions, and support/reinforce treatment adherence. An initial demonstration project was developed “Vida Sana” to improve health literacy and health behaviors among a low literacy, Hispanic community. The findings will determine whether peer-led, health-related social clubs will improve healthy life-style choices in a Hispanic population. Recommendations include 1). using an iterative process for addressing health from both positive and ecological perspectives and 2). developing interventions that incorporate social, environmental, and structural determinants for success.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the development of an community-academic partnership in serving populations experiencing health disparities. Discuss the strengths and challenges of developing community-academic partnerships.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr Curtin brings 20 years of teaching and clinical experience in primary care and working with vulnerable populations. She has developed partnerships with a focus on reducing health disparities. Dr Curtin has expertise in public health nursing, with a focus on the Hispanic population. She has developed international service learning programs for health science students in the Dominican Republic which has significantly contributed to building community partnerships with lower income, Hispanic populations.
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.