NASHVILLE, Tenn. The grant entitled “Use of Multimodal Strategies for Community-Engaged Dissemination of Research Needs, Priorities, and Recommendations of the Community” will allow researchers to engage the community and improve transparency in the research process through the dissemination of research findings back to communities.
It was funded by the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) under the RFA “Disseminating Evidence to Improve Community Health.”
Principal Investigator
“Specifically, we will disseminate research findings from 11 community listening sessions conducted in Nashville on priorities and barriers related to research participation among individuals commonly underrepresented,” Jennifer Cunningham Erves, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Meharry Medical College (MMC) and Principle Investigator on the grant, explained. “The groups represented in this research include the uninsured, Latinos, African Americans and the deaf and hard of hearing.”
According to Erves, findings from this research will emphasize needs, priorities and recommendations in order for these populations to participate in research. Addressing uncertainties related to research participation, improving communication surrounding research opportunities and research findings, focusing on primary care and prevention in research and improving research teams’ cultural competence and humility through training are key areas to address in improving research participation.
“This study is important, as many past research participants complain that researchers do not disseminate results of research studies back to communities”, Dr. Erves explained. “We believe disseminating these results back to past participants is a possible solution to build rapport and trust within communities, especially those commonly underrepresented in research, to essentially increase their research participation.”
Community Representatives
Dr. Tilicia Mayo-Gamble from Georgia Southern University is the Co-Investigator. Yolanda Vaughn is the community representative from the Neighborhoods Resource Center. Mike Helms is the community representative of Bridges. Claudia Barajas is the community representative of the Hispanic Family Foundation.
Originally, the research study was led by the Meharry-Vanderbilt Community Engaged Research Core (CERC), where MVA Executive Director Consuelo H. Wilkins, MD, MSCI serves as Co-Director.
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.
