Cultivating a cycle of trust with diverse communities in practice-based research: a report from PRIME Net.
OBJECTIVE
Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are increasingly seen as important vehicles to translate research into practice, although less is known about the process of engaging diverse communities in PBRN research. The objective of this study was to identify strategies for successfully recruiting and retaining diverse racial/ethnic communities into PBRN research studies.


METHODS
This collaborative, multisite study engaged 5 of the 8 networks of the PRImary care MultiEthnic Network (PRIME Net) consortium that conducts research with traditionally underrepresented/underserved populations. We used a sequential, qualitative research design. We first conducted 1 key informant interview with each of 24 researchers experienced in recruiting research participants from 5 racial/ethnic communities (African American, Arab/Chaldean, Chinese, Hispanic, and Native American). Subsequently, we conducted 18 focus groups with 172 persons from these communities.


RESULTS
Participants' comments indicated that successful recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations in PBRN studies is linked to the overall research process. This process, which we termed the cycle of trust, entailed developing and sustaining relationships of trust during 4 interrelated stages: before the study, during study recruitment, throughout study conduct, and after study completion. Participants identified a set of flexible strategies within each stage and called for close engagement with clinic and community partners.


CONCLUSIONS
Our participants suggest that approaches to research that lay a foundation of trust, demonstrate respect for community members, and extend beyond the enrollment and data collection phases are essential to enhance the participation of diverse populations in PBRN research. These findings offer the PBRN community a guide toward achieving this important goal.
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Christina M
CM
Getrich
Andrew L
AL
Sussman
Kimberly
K
Campbell-Voytal
Janice Y
JY
Tsoh
Robert L
RL
Williams
Anthony E
AE
Brown
Michael B
MB
Potter
William
W
Spears
Nancy
N
Weller
John
J
Pascoe
Kendra
K
Schwartz
Anne Victoria
AV
Neale
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012108:Research Personnel; D035502:Trust; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
minority groups; patient recruitment; populations; practice-based research; primary care; trust; underserved