Advancing engagement and capacity for rural cancer control: a mixed-methods case study of a Community-Academic Advisory Board in the Appalachia region of Southwest Virginia
Open Access
- 22 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Research Involvement and Engagement
- Vol. 7 (1), 1-16
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-021-00285-y
Abstract
Background: The objectives are to: 1) describe engagement processes used to prioritize and address regional comprehensive cancer control needs among a Community-Academic Advisory Board (CAB) in the medically-underserved, rural Appalachian region, and 2) detail longitudinal CAB evaluation findings. Methods: This three-year case study (2017–2020) used a convergent parallel, mixed-methods design. The approach was guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, the Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation process, and Nine Habits of Successful Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions. Meeting artifacts were tracked and evaluated. CAB members completed quantitative surveys at three time points and semi-structured interviews at two time points. Quantitative data were analyzed using analysis of variance tests. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via an inductive-deductive process. Results: Through 13 meetings, Prevention and Early Detection Action Teams created causal models and prioritized four cancer control needs: human papillomavirus vaccination, tobacco control, colorectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening. These sub-groups also began advancing into planning and intervention proposal development phases. As rated by 49 involved CAB members, all habits significantly improved from Time 1 to Time 2 (i.e., communication, priority work plans, roles/accountability, shared decision making, value-added collaboration, empowered leadership, diversified funding, trust, satisfaction; all p < .05), and most remained significantly higher at Time 3. CAB members also identified specific challenges (e.g., fully utilizing member expertise), strengths (e.g., diverse membership), and recommendations across habits. Conclusion: This project’s equity-based CBPR approach used a CPPE process in conjunction with internal evaluation of cancer coalition best practices to advance CAB efforts to address cancer disparities in rural Appalachia. This approach encouraged CAB buy-in and identified key strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities that will lay the foundation for continued involvement in cancer control projects. These engagement processes may serve as a template for similar coalitions in rural, underserved areas.Funding Information
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (#10254)
- National Cancer Institute (CA044579)
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Establishing the Psychometric Properties of Constructs in a Community-Based Participatory Research Conceptual ModelAmerican Journal of Health Promotion, 2015
- Use of community-based participatory research in primary care to improve healthcare outcomes and disparities in careJournal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 2013
- Process and outcome constructs for evaluating community-based participatory research projects: a matrix of existing measuresHealth Education Research, 2011
- Socioeconomic, Rural-Urban, and Racial Inequalities in US Cancer Mortality: Part I—All Cancers and Lung Cancer and Part II—Colorectal, Prostate, Breast, and Cervical CancersJournal of Cancer Epidemiology, 2011
- Comprehensive cancer control: progress and accomplishmentsCancer Causes & Control, 2010
- Examining Multi‐Sector Community Collaboratives as Vehicles for Building Organizational CapacityAmerican Journal of Community Psychology, 2010
- The Value and Challenges of Participatory Research: Strengthening Its PracticeAnnual Review of Public Health, 2008
- The qualitative content analysis processJournal of Advanced Nursing, 2008
- Conducting Needs Assessment Using the Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation Model to Develop Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions in a Rural Community in the Mississippi DeltaProgress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 2007
- Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthinessNurse Education Today, 2004