292182
Symbolic value and limitations of racial concordance in the engagement of minority populations into research
Monday, November 4, 2013
: 3:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Susan Passmore, PhD
,
School of Public Health, University of Maryland, Center for Health Equity, College Park, MD
Raymond Maietta, PhD
,
ResearchTalk, Inc, Bohemia, NY
Erica T. Casper
,
Maryland Center for Health Equity, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Natasha A. Brown, PhD, MPH
James Butler III, DrPH, MEd
,
Department of Behavioral & Community Health, University of Maryland Center for Health Equity, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Mary A. Garza, PhD, MPH
,
Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland for Health Equity School of Public Health, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD
Stephen Thomas, PhD, FAAHB
,
Department of Health Services Administration, Center for Health Equity, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Sandra C. Quinn, PhD
,
Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, School of Public Health, College Park, MD
BACKGROUND: The well-documented underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority populations in public health and biomedical research demands action. Racial and ethnic diversity in research is an essential strategy in the campaign to eliminate health disparities to achieve health equity. However, the ever-growing field of health disparities research lacks scientific consensus about how best to respectfully engage minority populations into research. METHODS: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured, telephone interviews with accomplished investigators (N=31), experienced in the recruitment and retention of minority populations. We used a novel data analysis technique, Co-Analysis, with a qualitative research consulting company. The method promotes shared decision-making between two entities examining one dataset. As a result, six core modules (Data Inventory, Written Reflection, Reflective Diagrams, Categorization, Bridging, and Data Presentation) were employed in this multidimensional qualitative analysis plan. RESULTS: Respondents reported that the racial and ethnic background of investigators was important, but alone, not a sufficient strategy to effectively engage minority community members in research studies. This presentation will highlight pertinent themes and subthemes from the investigators' perspective regarding challenges and approaches in the recruitment of underrepresented minority populations into research. For example, the nuanced role race and ethnicity play in the research recruitment process; critical factors associated with building authentic relationships with minority communities; and, the importance of self-reflection by investigators to effectively engage minority participants in research relationships. CONCLUSION: Lessons learned will be incorporated into a comprehensive curriculum designed to train investigators on best practices for the respectful and ethical recruitment of minority populations.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe two nuanced ways in which race and ethnicity influence the research recruitment process;
Discuss two best practices for recruiting underrepresented minority populations into biomedical and public health research.
Keywords: Research Ethics, Career Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal investigator of multiple federally funded grants required to ethically and respectfully recruit and retain underrepresented minority populations into research. As a result, among my scientific interests has been the discovery of scientifically sound strategies to diversify research participation.
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.
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