TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantitative evaluation of the community research fellows training program
AU - McGowan, Lucy D.Agostino
AU - Stafford, Jewel D.
AU - Thompson, Vetta Lynn
AU - Johnson-Javois, Bethany
AU - Goodman, Melody S.
N1 - Funding Information:
The CRFT program was sponsored by Program to Eliminate Cancer Disparities (National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute grant U54CA153460) at the Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital, and Washington University School of Medicine. The authors thank the CRFT fellows for their participation and contribution, and the faculty and staff that volunteered their time and talents to the design, instruction, and implementation of the CRFT program.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 D'Agostino McGowan, Stafford, Thompson, Johnson-Javois and Goodman.
PY - 2015/7/16
Y1 - 2015/7/16
N2 - Context: The community research fellows training (CRFT) programis a community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiative for the St. Louis area. This 15-week program, based on a Master in Public Health curriculum, was implemented by the Division of Public Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Cancer Center. Objectives: We measure the knowledge gained by participants and evaluate participant and faculty satisfaction of the CRFT program both in terms of meeting learning objectives and actively engaging the community in the research process. Participants: We conducted analyses on 44 community members who participated in the CRFT program and completed the baseline and follow-up knowledge assessments. Main outcome measures: Knowledge gain is measured by a baseline and follow-up assessment given at the first and final session. Additionally, preand post-tests are given after the first 12 sessions. To measure satisfaction, program evaluations are completed by both the participants and faculty after each topic. Mid-way through the program, a mid-term evaluation was administered to assess the program's community engagement. We analyzed the results from the assessments, preand post-tests, and evaluations. Results: The CRFT participants' knowledge increased at follow-up as compared with baseline on average by a 16.5 point difference (p>0.0001). Post-test scores were higher than pre-test scores for 11 of the 12 sessions. Both participants and faculty enjoyed the training and rated all session well. Conclusion: The CRFT program was successful in increasing community knowledge, participant satisfaction, and faculty satisfaction. This success has enhanced the infrastructure for CBPR as well as led to CBPR pilot projects that address health disparities in the St. Louis Greater Metropolitan Area.
AB - Context: The community research fellows training (CRFT) programis a community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiative for the St. Louis area. This 15-week program, based on a Master in Public Health curriculum, was implemented by the Division of Public Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine and the Siteman Cancer Center. Objectives: We measure the knowledge gained by participants and evaluate participant and faculty satisfaction of the CRFT program both in terms of meeting learning objectives and actively engaging the community in the research process. Participants: We conducted analyses on 44 community members who participated in the CRFT program and completed the baseline and follow-up knowledge assessments. Main outcome measures: Knowledge gain is measured by a baseline and follow-up assessment given at the first and final session. Additionally, preand post-tests are given after the first 12 sessions. To measure satisfaction, program evaluations are completed by both the participants and faculty after each topic. Mid-way through the program, a mid-term evaluation was administered to assess the program's community engagement. We analyzed the results from the assessments, preand post-tests, and evaluations. Results: The CRFT participants' knowledge increased at follow-up as compared with baseline on average by a 16.5 point difference (p>0.0001). Post-test scores were higher than pre-test scores for 11 of the 12 sessions. Both participants and faculty enjoyed the training and rated all session well. Conclusion: The CRFT program was successful in increasing community knowledge, participant satisfaction, and faculty satisfaction. This success has enhanced the infrastructure for CBPR as well as led to CBPR pilot projects that address health disparities in the St. Louis Greater Metropolitan Area.
KW - Community education
KW - Community-based participatory research
KW - Health disparities
KW - Health education
KW - Public health
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U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00179
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00179
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85014704156
SN - 2296-2565
VL - 3
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
JF - Frontiers in Public Health
IS - JUL
M1 - 179
ER -