Involvement In Advocacy Research Articles

Mini-Symposium: Training the Trainers of the Next Generation of Neuroscience Advocates.

Undergraduate neuroscience researchers and educators have a vital voice in working with policymakers to raise public awareness and increase support and funding for neuroscience. While there are many avenues and opportunities to become involved in neuroscience advocacy, finding the most effective training strategies, resources, and opportunities for involvement can sometimes be difficult and overwhelming. To address this challenge and inform faculty of science advocacy opportunities for undergraduates, we organized a mini-symposium at the 2023 Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) Workshop. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with a panel of experts with diverse experiences in neuroscience advocacy and policy. Topics presented and discussed included the importance of advocacy, effective training practices and resources, advice for scientific communication with a non-scientific audience, and various opportunities for advocacy involvement for undergraduate students. We share here our rationale and goals as we set out to plan this mini-symposium, a brief description of each panelist's career trajectory, relevant resources, and major takeaways. We reflect on the lessons learned from this session and recognize the need for an on-going conversation about careers involving science policy, science communication training, and opportunities for undergraduate students. Accordingly, we share future directions and recommendations to help faculty equip not only themselves but also their undergraduate trainees with the knowledge, practical skills, and resources required to engage with their communities as informed citizens.

The Case for Advocacy Curricula and Opportunities in Medical Education: Past Examples to Inform Future Instruction.

With recent advances in understanding racial, socioeconomic, and mental health issues in medicine and their relation to policy and legislation, medical professionals are increasingly involved in local and national advocacy efforts. At the frontlines of these initiatives are medical students who, in addition to completing required coursework and clinical training, devote themselves to serving patients through civic participation. The burgeoning evidence concerning health care disparities and inequity, along with greater awareness of racial and socioeconomic discrimination, have made advocacy an essential aspect of many students' medical training. Every year, thousands of medical students join national medical advocacy organizations, in addition to regional, state, and local groups. Despite the rich history of medical student involvement in advocacy, there remains much speculation and skepticism about the practice as an essential component of the medical profession. From early initiatives pushing for national health insurance after World War II to encouraging anti-discrimination policies and practices, medical students have been collectively working to create change for themselves and their patients. Through efforts such as banning smoking on airplanes, creating safe syringe programs, and protesting against police brutality, many medical students work tirelessly in advocacy despite minimal educational support or guidance about the advocacy process. Given that medical student advocacy continues to grow and has shown measurable successes in the past, the authors believe that these efforts should be rewarded and expanded upon. The authors examine historical examples of medical student advocacy to suggest ways in which advocacy can be integrated into core medical school curricula and activities. They call attention to opportunities to support students' development of knowledge and skills to facilitate legislative change, expansion of interprofessional collaborations and credit, and curricular updates to promote social and health equity.

Immunisation services in North-Eastern Nigeria: Perspectives of critical stakeholders to improve uptake and service delivery.

We investigated the perspectives of parents, health workers (HWs) and traditional medical practitioners (TMPs) on immunisation advocacy, knowledge, attitudes and immunisation practice and ways of improving immunisation uptake in Borno State, North-eastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study analysing quantitative data from the three stakeholders' categories. It was conducted across 18 local government areas of Borno State. A representative sample of 4288 stakeholders (n=1763 parents, n=1707 TMPs, and n=818 HWs aged 20 to 59years, had complete data. The sample has more males: 57.8% (Parents); 71.8% (TMPs) and 57.3% (HWs). The awareness of immunisation schedule among the stakeholders ranged from 87.2 to 93.4%. The study showed that 67.9% of the parent and 57.1% of the health workers had participated in immunisation except the TMPs (27.8%). Across the stakeholders' categories, between 61.9 and 72.6% have children who had Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI). The most common AEFI was fever. Safety concerns, preference for herbs and charm, culture and religions, and vaccination perception as a western culture were the major barriers to immunisation uptake. While 63.6 to 95.7% of respondents indicated that community leaders, religious and spiritual leaders and TMPs should be involved in immunisation advocacy, 56.9-70.4% of them reported that community leaders should be involved in immunisation policy. Upscaling the critical stakeholders' involvement in advocacy, policy development and implementation of immunization activities may improve acceptance, create demand and engender ownership in vulnerable communities of Borno State, Nigeria. AEFI could be detrimental to immunisation access and utilization. Consequently, health education by health workers needs strengthening to minimise vaccine hesitancy.

Supporting Immigrant Students in Schools: A Qualitative Investigation

ABSTRACT Immigrant students experience multiple challenges, and school counselors are at the forefront of professionals who can support them. School counselors are vital in ensuring that students are included and feel safe in the school community. This study explored school counselors’ perceptions of their work and involvement in advocacy with immigrant students. The guiding research question was: What are the perceptions and experiences of school counselors supporting and advocating for immigrant students? Themes included multiple priorities for students, best practice recommendations, and enhancing competence. Implications for school counselors are discussed.

Identifying Barriers to Advocacy Among Patients With Lung Cancer: The Role of Stigma-Related Interpersonal Constraint.

To examine whether aspects of disease-specific stigma are barriers to advocacy among individuals with lung cancer. 266 patients with lung cancer treated at two National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Patients completed a cross-sectional survey. Demographic, clinical, and stigma-related correlates of advocacy were also explored. In multivariable analyses, lower levels of patient advocacy were reported by older patients and those with higher levels of constrained disclosure (i.e., avoidance of or discomfort in disclosing one's lung cancer status). Avoidance of discussing lung cancer (constrained disclosure) may be a barrier to patient involvement in advocacy. Additional research is needed to examine this relationship, reduce stigma, and promote inclusivity for individuals with lung cancer.

Top Policy Issues: A Powerful, Passionate Journey

Top Policy Issues: A Powerful, Passionate Journey

Integration, Perceptions, and Implementation of Legislative Advocacy Within US Schools and Colleges of Pharmacy

Objective. To assess the current practices of US schools and colleges of pharmacy pertaining to teaching legislative advocacy; the engagement of staff, faculty, postgraduates, students, and administrators in legislative advocacy partnerships and activities; and their future goals for legislative advocacy involvement by academic pharmacy institutions.Methods. An electronic survey was distributed to deans of schools and colleges of pharmacy across the United States. Respondents were asked to complete 53 items about their school's involvement in, barriers to involvement in, and relative importance of involvement in legislative advocacy. Responses were evaluated using descriptive statistics.Results. The survey accrued responses from 48 of 143 (33%) schools and colleges of pharmacy. Sixteen percent of responding schools required a course on advocacy and approximately 50% offered an advocacy elective. A majority (58.8%) of responding institutions ranked their institution's involvement in legislative advocacy high (≥7 on a scale of 1-10), and 75.8% ranked the importance of legislative advocacy in external collaboration high. A majority of institutions (60%) ranked the importance of faculty, staff, and postgraduate roles in advocacy high; however, 42.3% did not rank involvement as strongly. Fifty percent of institutions plan to expand involvement in legislative advocacy.Conclusion. Respondents highly ranked the importance of legislative advocacy. Many perceived their institution's involvement as strong and having plans to expand. Moving forward, curricula and resource allocation should be reviewed to diminish the dissonance between an institution's perception of the importance of legislative advocacy and actual implementation of legislative advocacy components.

This is Our Lane: A Pilot Study Examining the Surgeon's Role in Social Justice Advocacy

BackgroundDespite the importance of social justice advocacy, surgeon attitudes toward individual involvement vary. We hypothesized that the majority of surgeons in this study, regardless of gender or training level, believe that surgeons should be involved in social justice movements. MethodsA survey was distributed to surgical faculty and trainees at three academic tertiary care centers. Participation was anonymous with 123 respondents. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used for analysis with significance accepted when p < 0.05. Thematic analysis was performed on free responses. ResultsThe response rate was 46%. Compared to men, women were more likely to state that surgeons should be involved (86% vs 64%, p = 0.01) and were personally involved in social justice advocacy (86% vs 51%, p = 0.0002). Social justice issues reported as most important to surgeons differed significantly by gender (p = 0.008). Generated themes for why certain types of advocacy involvement were inappropriate were personal choices, professionalism and relationships. ConclusionsSocial justice advocacy is important to most surgeons in this study, especially women. This emphasizes the need to incorporate advocacy into surgical practice.

The Role of the Church in Curbing Drug Addiction Problems: A Case Study of Nairobi Chapel

Drug and substance abuse is considered a worldwide menace. Kenya being part of the globe experiences its effects. The Church, being a tool that helps society live godly lives, should take part in the fight against drug and substance abuse. This study sought to identify the role of the Church in curbing drug addiction problems. A descriptive case study and qualitative research approach were employed. 50 churches under the Nairobi Chapel umbrella of Churches were targeted. Questionnaires were employed to collect data from lead pastors in charge of drug addicts’ recovery programs within Nairobi Chapel. Data was analyzed and presented using tables and charts. From the study majority of the churches that took part in the research, only 40% had ministries to help in combating drug abuse, none of the churches had financial allocation for the same, on the human resource set aside; lead pastors comprised 85%, staff members 9%, while drug and substance rehabilitation pastors were 6%, on involvement in advocacy only 20% of the churches were participating, on the other hand, 61% of the churches took part in partnerships with drug addiction and rehabilitation and prevention programs.

Engaging in advocacy during medical training: assessing the impact of a virtual COVID-19-focused state advocacy day

PurposeThe physician voice is crucial to shaping health policy and public health guidelines, particularly during COVID-19. However, there are gaps in health policy and advocacy education within graduate medical education....

Abstract B078: [Advocate Abstract] Advocating for diversity in the WISDOM Breast Cancer Screening Study

Abstract This poster demonstrates that advocacy support enhances diversity recruitment in the WISDOM Study (Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk). Initially funded by a grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, with advocates having a key role in design and planning, WISDOM is a 100,000 healthy women preference-tolerant, pragmatic study comparing annual to personalized risk-based breast screening. The novelty of WISDOM personalized screening is the integration of previously validated genetics and clinical risk factors (age, family history, breast biopsy results, ethnicity, mammographic density) into a single risk-assessment model that directs the starting age, timing, and frequency of screening. Importantly, the genetic component of risk is calibrated by race/ethnicity (Caucasian, Asian, African American, Hispanic), to provide each woman the most tailored personalized risk assessment. The goal of WISDOM is to determine if personalized screening, compared to annual screening, is as safe, less morbid, enables prevention, and is preferred by women. The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02620852. The study's “preference-tolerant design” encourages women to be randomized but also allows self-assignment (this component was recommended by advocates) for those with a strong personal preference for either annual or risk-based screening. WISDOM study researchers aim to help all women make better-informed decisions by comparing the outcomes of women who have annual mammograms with those women who received mammograms on a schedule determined by their personal risk. Enrollment and consent take place entirely online at www.wisdomstudy.org, which serves as a patient portal where participants register, complete electronic consent, take health-related questionnaires and receive screening recommendations and genetic test results. Currently the clinical sites and infrastructure associated with this study are part of the Athena Breast Health Network (Athena), a unique collaboration among the five University of California (UC) medical/cancer centers (UCSF, UC Davis, UCLA, UC Irvine, and UCSD) and the Sanford Health System (based in Sioux Falls, SD). Athena has fostered partnerships with advocates since its inception in 2009 and formed the Consumer and Community Advisory Committee (CCAC). The CCAC comprises patient advocate representatives from each Athena site and community members with expertise in public heath, breast health, and under-represented populations. In addition to participation at twice-yearly WISDOM Retreats, advocates participate on regular WebEx WISDOM Study calls with committee updates on advocacy involvement, marketing and outreach materials, recruitment, bioethics, protocol and adherence. Each advocate's skills and background inform all aspects of the study as we focus on addressing recruitment strategies for expanding and encouraging enrollment in traditionally under-represented populations including, but not limited to, racial/ethnic, underserved, older women, and women with little or no access to the internet. Advocates, partnering with study staff, are championing efforts to further WISDOM diversity outreach by identifying key community champions in women's organizations, local nonprofits and faith-based organizations; identifying people who do community-based research and have established community relations; working on strategies on what we can offer to the community such as presentations events and in-person discussions; and, finally, helping to bridge technology gaps and access. As of July 2018, the WISDOM study is open to all eligible women in California, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. To date, 23,329 eligible women have registered and 14,393 women have consented to participate in the trial. The median age is 56 years, 82% Caucasian, 1% African-American, and 6% Asian, and 9% self-reporting as Hispanic. WISDOM Study data collected so far do not reflect the diversity of our potential participant population. We are partnering with health insurers and self-insured companies and expanding to other states with enrollment continuing past 2019. With the engagement of patient advocates, expanding diversity recruitment will help fill gaps in scientific knowledge, resulting in personalized breast cancer screening recommendations for all women. Citation Format: Susie Brain. [Advocate Abstract] Advocating for diversity in the WISDOM Breast Cancer Screening Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2018 Nov 2-5; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl):Abstract nr B078.

Effect of self-advocacy training on students with disabilities: Adult outcomes and advocacy involvement after participation

Effect of self-advocacy training on students with disabilities: Adult outcomes and advocacy involvement after participation

Advocacy and Public Policy Perceptions and Involvement of College Health Promotion Students.

Understanding the advocacy and public policy training needs of our future health promotion workforce is crucial if we are to prepare them to meet their professional responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to examine health promotion students' advocacy/public policy involvement, training, and perceptions. Electronic surveys were disseminated nationwide to college students in health education and closely related programs. Of 477 student respondents, the most frequently indicated advocacy/public policy activity engaged in was voting (56%). The greatest benefit to advocacy was indicated as creating public awareness, while the most prevalent barrier reported was lack of familiarity with the legislation process. Less than one third of students reported receiving any training; however, training and the number of training sources were associated with greater involvement (p < .05). Comparisons by academic classification indicated that graduate students participated in more advocacy activities and reported significantly more benefits, barriers, knowledge, and self-efficacy compared with undergraduates. Regression analysis indicated that knowledge, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and total number of training sources were significant predictors of advocacy involvement in both graduate and undergraduate student models, with age also contributing significantly to the graduate student model. Findings emphasize the need for increased training at earlier education levels to increase knowledge, self-efficacy, and advocacy/public policy involvement.

How Structural Variations in Collaborative Governance Networks Influence Advocacy Involvement and Outcomes

AbstractCollaborative governance is intended to solve complex problems and promote democratic outcomes by connecting ground‐level stakeholders with government. In order for these goals to be met, however, participants must have meaningful influence and opportunities for voice. Using national survey data from Continuums of Care (CoCs) mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this article investigates what structural characteristics of collaborative governance networks are related to promoting stakeholder inclusion and voice through policy advocacy involvement. Specifically, it investigates which network characteristics are associated with (1) the frequency of advocacy involvement by the network, (2) providers' engagement in and influence over that advocacy, and (3) the CoC having stronger relationships with policy makers. Findings show significant relationships between greater network capacity and network advocacy, and between network governance structure and provider engagement and influence in that advocacy. Networks have stronger relationships with policy makers when providers are more engaged, providers have more influence, network capacity is higher, and direct advocacy tactics are used.

Identity as a rights advocate: contextualizing the understanding of mental health user associations in Argentina

The importance of mental health services users’ participation regarding rights advocacy has been recognized during the last decades. The analysis of the cultural context in which rights advocacy takes place seems to be useful for understanding the different levels of development of users’ advocacy around the world. With the aim to describe the relationship between the perceptions of participants of a mental health rights advocacy association regarding their involvement in advocacy, its effects, and the cultural context, a descriptive qualitative study was carried out in Argentina, based on a ‘what matters most’ framework. Results show that the recovery of the culturally valued identity of militante (advocate) was seen as an important benefit. Social rights such as work and housing were ranked as the most important to advocate for. Based on the Argentinean National Mental Health Law, the relationship between top-down and bottom-up approaches toward users’ participation are discussed

Attitudes and Self-Reported Competencies in Advocacy Among OB/GYN Residents [25I

INTRODUCTION: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes that education and training in advocacy is an important component of postgraduate education. However, there is little published literature on how to best teach advocacy to residents. METHODS: We administered an IRB-approved, self-reported, cross-sectional study of ob/gyn residents at Northwestern. The survey employed a 5-point Likert scale and was designed to assess residents’ experiences with advocacy training. RESULTS: Forty of 46 residents completed the survey. Among respondents, 95% felt that political advocacy is important to the field of ob/gyn, 92.5% believed government policies will affect their career, and 90% believed that formal training in advocacy and policy should be a part of residency training. Yet, only 38.4% felt that they had at least a basic understanding of Medicare billing and reimbursement policy, and 40% felt that their residency program encouraged advocacy. Residents did not feel that testing advocacy on national exams would improve their knowledge base in the area. While involvement in advocacy was common during medical school (90%), only 22.5% of residents were currently engaged in advocacy activities, and 27.5% were undecided if they would engage in advocacy during training. Common barriers reported were time, stress, and lack of knowledge on how to become meaningfully involved in advocacy work. CONCLUSION: Residents show high interest in advocacy, yet experience multiple barriers to becoming involved and report knowledge gaps on specific policy topics. Further research is needed to improve education and opportunities in advocacy for residents.

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Social Paediatrics Block Rotation for Paediatric Residents

Abstract BACKGROUND: Poverty and social injustice have a direct link to health outcomes and health care utilization, especially for children. Understanding the complexity of impact of social determinants on health is essential in providing effective, compassionate care to vulnerable populations. Currently, there is a paucity of literature on the impact of various models of advocacy curricula on pediatric residents and future involvement in advocacy. Social Pediatrics is an approach to child health that focuses on the child, in illness, and in health, within the context of their society, environment, school, and family. OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine if a social pediatrics rotation greater enables residents to become involved in advocacy projects during their residency and interest for career. 2) To identify resident knowledge translation of the social determinants of health and their impact on the pediatric population. 3) To characterize the barriers and enablers, if any, for residents to engage in advocacy. DESIGN/METHODS: The Social Pediatrics rotation was embedded in the second year of a postgraduate pediatric curriculum. Knowledge and attitudes of resident participants before and after the rotation was assessed with written tests and surveys. A qualitative descriptive study of community partners and resident perspectives was semi-structured interviews, thematic coding and analysis via an inductive-iterative approach. RESULTS: 21 residents completed pre-and post- written knowledge tests, and 12 residents completed optional attitudinal surveys. Knowledge increased from 68% prior to rotation, to 80% (p &amp;lt; 0.001) following the rotation. All residents completing written surveys indicated increased likelihood of participating in social pediatrics and advocacy in practice following this rotation. Results from 6 resident and 5 community partner interviews included: enhanced knowledge of social determinants of health, residency curricula development with further mental health placements, future practice models involving vulnerable populations, multi-disciplinary learning opportunities, and advocacy projects both at the patient and community level. Community partners shared experiences of residents demonstrating enthusiasm and engagement in placements, some logistical challenges but value in experiences outside hospital environment, particularly in learning from multidisciplinary team. CONCLUSION: Pediatric residents demonstrate increase in knowledge of social determinants of health and an increased interest in community advocacy initiatives and vulnerable populations following a block rotation in Social Pediatrics. Community partners valued engagement with pediat-ric residents, identifying key learning opportunities in these unique environments and report few barriers to continued involvement. Future directions include impact on advocacy work or career decisions, and multi-centre collaboration.

Preferred conservation policies of shark researchers.

There is increasing concern about the conservation status of sharks. However, the presence of numerous different (and potentially mutually exclusive) policies complicates management implementation and public understanding of the process. We distributed an online survey to members of the largest professional shark and ray research societies to assess member knowledge of and attitudes toward different conservation policies. Questions covered society member opinions on conservation and management policies, personal histories of involvement in advocacy and management, and perceptions of the approach of conservation nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to shark conservation. One hundred and two surveys were completed (overall response rate 21%). Respondents considered themselves knowledgeable about and actively involved in conservation and management policy; a majority believed scientists have a responsibility to advocate for conservation (75%), and majorities have sent formal public comments to policymakers (54%) and included policy suggestions in their papers (53%). They believe sustainable shark fisheries are possible, are currently happening today (in a few places), and should be the goal instead of banning fisheries. Respondents were generally less supportive of newer limit-based (i.e., policies that ban exploitation entirely without a species-specific focus) conservation policy tools, such as shark sanctuaries and bans on the sale of shark fins, than of target-based fisheries management tools (i.e., policies that allow for sustainable harvest of species whose populations can withstand it), such as fishing quotas. Respondents were generally supportive of environmental NGO efforts to conserve sharks but raised concerns about some NGOs that they perceived as using incorrect information and focusing on the wrong problems. Our results show there is an ongoing debate in shark conservation and management circles relative to environmental policy on target-based natural resources management tools versus limit-based conservation tools. They also suggest that closer communication between the scientific and environmental NGO communities may be needed to recognize and reconcile differing values and objectives between these groups.

Nonprofit Organizations’ Involvement in Participatory Processes: The Need for Democratic Accountability

AbstractParticipatory processes – defined as formal efforts to involve constituents in government decision-making – are an increasingly common tool adopted by public agencies and other elite decision making bodies in many developed nations. Unfortunately, although conceptualized as a way to incorporate lay citizens as stakeholders, participation in such processes takes time and expertise that many citizens do not have. As a result, nonprofit leaders are often invited to participate as a logistical shortcut for citizen involvement. This representation, albeit nonelected and unaccountable, is an increasingly important way vulnerable groups are represented and a key aspect of many nonprofit organizations’ advocacy involvement. It is important to ask, then, how well nonprofits do when attempting to represent specific claimed constituents. It is likely their success varies greatly. While many organizations work to engage constituents in democratic ways – including ongoing outreach and communication strategies, establishing participatory mechanisms within their own organizations, and soliciting resident feedback – other nonprofits do not. Based on the authors’ collaborative research, his brief identifies four specific policy proposals that may help facilitate the inclusionary goals of participatory processes, promote democratic accountability among nonprofit representatives, and make sure the needs of vulnerable citizens are met.

Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence as Advocates for Social Change

Intimate partner violence is a major public health issue that presents numerous potential challenges and negative consequences for survivors. The external barriers and systemic oppression that contribute to these challenges and consequences are potentially relevant factors for counselors to address in social justice advocacy efforts. In addition to advocacy initiatives led by counselors, counselors can support their clients who have experienced IPV victimization to engage in self-advocacy, as well as advocacy efforts designed to promote positive social change. This study examines how survivors of IPV (n=123) think about themselves as potential or actual advocates, as well as survivors’ considerations for engaging in advocacy efforts. We apply content analysis methodology to identify themes within respondents’ qualitative responses to an advocacy-related question on an electronic survey on the process of overcoming abuse. The following themes emerged: the significance of survivors’ involvement in advocacy, survivors’ personal qualities and skills required for effective advocacy, validation of survivors’ right to choose whether or not to engage in advocacy, and examples of survivors’ large and small-scale advocacy efforts. The ACA Advocacy Competencies are then used to organize and operationalize survivors’ perceptions and experiences related to their involvement in advocacy efforts. The unique opportunities and challenges that survivors may encounter when they engage in advocacy initiatives at the individual, community, and societal levels are considered. This study aims to expand the concept of self-advocacy to survivors of IPV and other similarly marginalized groups, highlighting the potential for personal empowerment and social change.