Sonia Nath, Ria Aiyar, Johanna Groundwater, Joanne Hedges, Gina L Guzzo, Kostas Kapellas, Alexander Pham, Lisa Jamieson
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: The engagement and retention of Indigenous participants are critical factors in the success of oral health research, particularly in longitudinal studies. However, participant experiences and perceptions of Indigenous research involvement remain underexplored. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore Indigenous participants' experiences of culturally safe oral health research.
Methods: The longitudinal intervention study involved Indigenous adults who received culturally safe dental care. The intervention included home-based dental checks, flexible appointment scheduling, regular follow-up and financial support for dental treatment at a local dental clinic. Following dental treatment, semi-structured interviews were conducted using a yarning-based approach to document participants' experiences of both the intervention and the study processes. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.
Results: Four themes were developed from 136 participants' experiences of culturally safe dental research: (1) research and clinical team characteristics including positive interactions with team members and personalised care; (2) participation in a research intervention that breaks down barriers to dental care including home visits, flexible scheduling and financial support; (3) research participation as a means of supporting personal and community health; and (4) a community-driven recruitment strategy that improved trust and retention.
Conclusions: Culturally safe, community-driven dental research centred on Indigenous representation, personalised care and home-based dental service delivery can effectively reduce barriers to dental care and improve engagement and retention among Indigenous participants in oral health research.
期刊介绍:
The aim of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology is to serve as a forum for scientifically based information in community dentistry, with the intention of continually expanding the knowledge base in the field. The scope is therefore broad, ranging from original studies in epidemiology, behavioral sciences related to dentistry, and health services research through to methodological reports in program planning, implementation and evaluation. Reports dealing with people of all age groups are welcome.
The journal encourages manuscripts which present methodologically detailed scientific research findings from original data collection or analysis of existing databases. Preference is given to new findings. Confirmations of previous findings can be of value, but the journal seeks to avoid needless repetition. It also encourages thoughtful, provocative commentaries on subjects ranging from research methods to public policies. Purely descriptive reports are not encouraged, nor are behavioral science reports with only marginal application to dentistry.
The journal is published bimonthly.