Strengthening Community-Academic Partnership to Advance Health Equity.

Abstract

The development and use of a tool to assess the partnership between academic researchers and community members is a critical strategy toward maintaining and strengthening the partnership. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (MSM PRC) has worked cooperatively with the communities in which its research is being conducted through the Center's Community Coalition Board (CCB). The CCB and the MSM PRC collaboratively worked together to develop and enhance the CCB's satisfaction survey (CCB satisfaction survey). The CCB satisfaction survey is a 48-item assessment that evaluates the functionality of the CCB over a 12-month period. Results of the satisfaction survey are presented to the CCB and recommendations from the CCB are developed on how to improve members' experience and participation over the next year. This process illustrates the importance of community engagement and aids in further empowering the CCB and enhancing its ongoing partnership with the MSM PRC.