130 Examining the Role of Community Engagement Studios & Community Experts in Translational Research: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: 1. Describe the importance of community engaged research. 2. Explore the impact of participating in Community Engagement Studios from the perspective of the community expert. 3. Explain how Community Engagement Studios can positively impact clinical and translational sciences. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Stakeholders who participate in CE Studios are defined as community experts (CEs); care-givers, patients, researchers, etc. They are not classified as research participants, but rather consultants, who are designated with the task of providing input on the specified research study. CEs were recruited in a variety of formats such as clinics, social media, and other community-based settings. To be eligible for the study, CEs had to participate in at least one CE Studio prior to data collection. Data was collected from an online survey from April to September of 2019. One hundred and fifteen CEs participated in the study. We conducted thematic analysis on a total of 233 participant responses to three open-ended questions assessing attitudes towards research, desire to engage in research, and understanding of research. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Ten major themes emerged from the data: involvement, togetherness, trust, value, confidence, community engagement, community connectedness, encouraging others to participate, increase knowledge and awareness, and respect. A major overarching theme of inclusion was presented in the data. Findings from this study indicate that CE Studios provide a space for CEs to gain a better understanding of the multi-faceted research process, offer insight into ways to include historically excluded populations, and increase trust, confidence and respect for researchers and the research process. Moreover, community experts felt connected to their community by participating in CE Studios and expressed interest in encouraging others to participate. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: CEs are a crucial component of the research process, and their experiences should be utilized and reflected upon as we work to reduce health disparities. CE Studios serve to build trust, identify strategic areas of improvement in research, and provide a foundation to introduce community members to the multiple ways to engage in research.