Theme: Clinical Research Year: 2023
Background and aims:
Without accessible research in underrepresented groups, their health issues cannot be highlighted or addressed, further compounding disparities. National guidelines in the United States emphasize the vital nature of integrating research into community settings to increase diversity1,2. Since 2010 the Research Initiative on Infectious Disease and Substance Use has successfully implemented clinical research studies in under-resourced community settings such as syringe service and opioid treatment programs serving PWUD who are un/underinsured, engage in transactional sex, experience homelessness, transgender individuals, and other marginalized populations. The aims of this workshop are:
oTo provide a tool kit to implement clinical research in community-based settings for PWUD
oTo discuss barriers, facilitators, and ethics of implementing community-based research for PWUD
oHighlight the benefits of community-based research partnerships
Description of workshop:
The workshop will outline tools to successfully implement research in community-based settings. A unique aspect of this workshop is the inclusion of both community-based organization and academic researcher perspective. The presenters will discuss topics that include embedding clinical care into non-medical community sites, overlaying research with clinical care, administrative/ethical considerations, identify/establishing community partners, developing community advisory boards, and community-based partnership navigation. Our presentation will highlight the benefits of academic-community partnerships to academia, community-based organizations, and PWUD.
Methods and format:
The first 30 minutes of the workshop will include a presentation on integrating research into community-based settings for PWUD. For the next 30 minutes, workshop participants will be placed into small groups, to strategize how to implement research into a unique community setting accessing PWUD, such as a syringe service program, mobile clinic, or jail. Each group will be given real life challenges to discuss and problem solve. For the final 30 minutes, participants will return for a large group discussion to share strategies, and have a Q&A session with presenters.