Diverse, vulnerable, and underserved populations are under-represented as participants in health care research. This lack of representation limits the generalizability of research and contributes to disparities in health and health care. A collaborative approach to research in which researchers work with diverse patient, family, and community partners is emerging as a key strategy to address this issue. IPFCC led a two-year project to explore best practices in partnerships with under-represented individuals and communities in all stages of research—planning, conducting, and disseminating.
This project included two major efforts:
- Programming at IPFCC’s 8th International Conference on Patient and FamilyCentered Care: Promoting Health Equity and Reducing Disparities held in Baltimore, MD in June 2018 featuring partnerships with diverse and underserved communities in health care research; and
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Development of the Strengthening Diversity in Research Partnerships: Knowledge to Action Guide featuring content obtained from:
- An extensive literature review
- Consultation and input from the project’s Expert Advisory Panel comprised of researchers, health care professionals, and diverse PFC partners
- Interviews with experts involved in research partnerships in research
- Site visits to exemplary programs
Researchers and individuals with lived experience of serious mental illness share their insights about partnering in research at the Illinois Institute of Technology. (13:44 minutes)
We invite you to read the Guide and watch the Spotlight Videos. We welcome suggestions for Stories from the Field and Resources to add to this section. Please email ideas to IPFCC.