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The Community Engagement and Research program is broadening and strengthening collaborations between the Academic Health Center (AHC) and the community to produce research initiated with, supported by, carried out through, and benefiting the community. Leading this effort are investigators experienced in community research (Monica Mitchell, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of INNOVATIONS in Community Research and Program Evaluation; and Andre Wamba, Director of Community Research, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency) and in practice-based research (Christopher Bolling, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Research Director of the Cincinnati Pediatric Research Group; Nancy Elder, MD, MSPH, Associate Professor of Family Medicine; and Brett Kissela, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology ).
The Community Engagement and Research program utilizes several strategies to connect researchers and community, which are facilitating truly bi-directional connections that allow community members to participate in, inform and even initiate clinical research. Components of the program include:
- The Community Partner Council – An entity made up of community members, neighborhood activists and AHC members who facilitate connections through advice, education and action.
- A rapidly expanding Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) - A federally- funded network of providers currently in place in pediatric, family medicine and emergency medicine settings across Greater Cincinnati, including underserved neighborhoods. The network is expanding to include specialists in maternal-fetal medicine/obstetrics, adolescent medicine, geriatrics, mental health and other specialty fields.
- A robust Education and Training Curriculum which includes:
- Establishing a cadre of Community Health Educators to assist researchers and community residents in identifying/prioritizing neighborhood health issues, facilitate the involvement of residents in the design/implementation of studies, and aid researchers in reporting findings to the community.
- Providing didactic and online training in community-based participatory research (CBPR) for AHC investigators, medical students and residents, graduate students, and community members. A 15 credit hour Certificate in CBPR is under development. Special Topics Groups in target neighborhoods will train grassroots community members.
- Expanding existing Quality Improvement training at CCHMC across the AHC and into the community.
For more information, please contact our program leaders or the CCTST office .
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