Enhancing community engagement in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research: Equipping learners to thrive in translational efforts

Abstract

Community engagement is a critical component of translational research. Innovative educational approaches to support meaningful involvement of stakeholders in clinical research allows for bidirectional learning and greater engagement in translational efforts. Our Penn State Community-Engaged Research Core (CeRC) team has developed an innovative research curriculum for a variety of stakeholders, including patient partners, organizational representatives, and Community Health Workers (CHWs). This brief report will outline unique curricular approaches, guided by adult learning principles, to enhance stakeholder education and engagement in activities. Initial evidence of impact on learning is also reported.

Keywords

• Community engagement
• stakeholder education
• translational research
• patient-centered outcomes research
• community health workers