Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research
Abstract Introduction: Community engagement (CE) is critical for research on the adoption and use of assistive technology (AT) in many populations living in resource-limited environments. Few studies have described the process that was used for engaging communities in AT research, particularly wit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866120005348/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156603448066048 |
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| author | Elsa M. Orellano-Colón Marta Rivero-Méndez Claudia X. Boneu-Meléndez Solymar Solís-Báez Arelí León-Astor Mariolga Juliá-Pacheco María del Mar Santiago-Cruz Jeffrey W. Jutai |
| author_facet | Elsa M. Orellano-Colón Marta Rivero-Méndez Claudia X. Boneu-Meléndez Solymar Solís-Báez Arelí León-Astor Mariolga Juliá-Pacheco María del Mar Santiago-Cruz Jeffrey W. Jutai |
| author_sort | Elsa M. Orellano-Colón |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Introduction:
Community engagement (CE) is critical for research on the adoption and use of assistive technology (AT) in many populations living in resource-limited environments. Few studies have described the process that was used for engaging communities in AT research, particularly within low-income communities of older Hispanic with disabilities where limited access, culture, and mistrust must be navigated. We aimed to identify effective practices to enhance CE of low-income Hispanic communities in AT research.
Methods:
The community stakeholders included community-based organizations, the community healthcare clinic, the local AT project, and residents of the Caño Martín Peña Community in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The CE procedures and activities during the Planning the Study Phase comprised working group meetings with stakeholders to cocreate the funding proposal for the study and address the reviewers’ critiques. During the Conducting the Study Phase, we convened a Community Advisory Board to assist in the implementation of the study. During the Disseminating the Study Results Phase, we developed and implemented plans to disseminate the research results.
Results:
We identified seven distinct practices to enhance CE in AT research with Hispanic communities: (1) early and continuous input; (2) building trusting and warm relationships through personal connections; (3) establishing and maintaining presence in the community; (4) power sharing; (5) shared language; (6) ongoing mentorship and support to community members; and (7) adapting to the changing needs of the community.
Conclusion:
Greater attention to CE practices may improve the effectiveness and sustainability of AT research with low-income communities.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:54:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c93cd4cee3434920bc9a13d519cdecb9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:54:10Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-c93cd4cee3434920bc9a13d519cdecb92023-03-09T12:31:02ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612021-01-01510.1017/cts.2020.534Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology researchElsa M. Orellano-Colón0Marta Rivero-Méndez1Claudia X. Boneu-Meléndez2Solymar Solís-Báez3Arelí León-Astor4Mariolga Juliá-Pacheco5María del Mar Santiago-Cruz6Jeffrey W. Jutai7Occupational Therapy Program, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto RicoSchool of Nursing, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto RicoOccupational Therapy Program, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto RicoSchool of Nursing, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto RicoOffice of Environmental Quality, Health, and Occupational Safety, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto RicoCorporación del Proyecto ENLACE del Caño Martín Peña, San Juan, Puerto RicoCaño Martín Peña Community Land Trust, San Juan, Puerto RicoUniversity of Ottawa and LIFE Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada Abstract Introduction: Community engagement (CE) is critical for research on the adoption and use of assistive technology (AT) in many populations living in resource-limited environments. Few studies have described the process that was used for engaging communities in AT research, particularly within low-income communities of older Hispanic with disabilities where limited access, culture, and mistrust must be navigated. We aimed to identify effective practices to enhance CE of low-income Hispanic communities in AT research. Methods: The community stakeholders included community-based organizations, the community healthcare clinic, the local AT project, and residents of the Caño Martín Peña Community in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The CE procedures and activities during the Planning the Study Phase comprised working group meetings with stakeholders to cocreate the funding proposal for the study and address the reviewers’ critiques. During the Conducting the Study Phase, we convened a Community Advisory Board to assist in the implementation of the study. During the Disseminating the Study Results Phase, we developed and implemented plans to disseminate the research results. Results: We identified seven distinct practices to enhance CE in AT research with Hispanic communities: (1) early and continuous input; (2) building trusting and warm relationships through personal connections; (3) establishing and maintaining presence in the community; (4) power sharing; (5) shared language; (6) ongoing mentorship and support to community members; and (7) adapting to the changing needs of the community. Conclusion: Greater attention to CE practices may improve the effectiveness and sustainability of AT research with low-income communities. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866120005348/type/journal_articleAssistive technologycommunity engagementcommunity stakeholdersHispanicPuerto Ricotranslational research |
| spellingShingle | Elsa M. Orellano-Colón Marta Rivero-Méndez Claudia X. Boneu-Meléndez Solymar Solís-Báez Arelí León-Astor Mariolga Juliá-Pacheco María del Mar Santiago-Cruz Jeffrey W. Jutai Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Assistive technology community engagement community stakeholders Hispanic Puerto Rico translational research |
| title | Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research |
| title_full | Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research |
| title_fullStr | Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research |
| title_short | Collaborative engagement of Hispanic communities in the planning, conducting, and dissemination of assistive technology research |
| title_sort | collaborative engagement of hispanic communities in the planning conducting and dissemination of assistive technology research |
| topic | Assistive technology community engagement community stakeholders Hispanic Puerto Rico translational research |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866120005348/type/journal_article |
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