A capacity building program to promote CBPR partnerships between academic researchers and community members.
BACKGROUND
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) adds community perspectives to research and aids translational research aims. There is a need for increased capacity in CBPR but few models exist for how to support the development of community/university partnerships.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate an approach to promote nascent CBPR partnerships.


METHODS
Design was a mixed-methods evaluation using interviews, process notes, and open- and close-ended survey questions. We trained 10 community scholars, matched them with prepared researchers to form seven partnerships, and supported their developing partnerships. Sequential mixed-methods analysis assessed research and partnership processes and identified integrated themes.


RESULTS
Four of seven partnerships were funded within 15 months; all self-reported their partnerships as successful. Themes were: (1) motivators contributed to partnership development and resiliency; (2) partners took on responsibilities that used individuals' strengths; (3) partners grappled with communication, decision making, and power dynamics; and (4) community-university infrastructure was essential to partnership development.


CONCLUSIONS
This program for developing nascent partnerships between academicians and community members may guide others in increasing capacity for CBPR.
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. miallen@umn.edu
Michele L
ML
Allen
Kathleen A
KA
Culhane-Pera
Shannon
S
Pergament
Kathleen Thiede
KT
Call
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D057191:Capacity Building; D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003657:Decision Making; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012107:Research Design; D014495:Universities