Perceived impact of human subjects protection training on community partners in community based participatory research - Article summary

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by James

Human subject protection training (HSPT) is required by Institutional Review Boards, yet community partners in community-based participatory research (CBPR) may lack access, potentially creating power imbalances. A CBPR partnership in Minnesota, the Rochester Healthy Community Partnership, implemented an adapted HSPT program for seven community partners. Acceptability was assessed with a Likert survey and a focus group evaluated perceived effects on research views, program success characteristics, and value to CBPR partnerships. Results indicated high acceptability, improved trust, and enhanced transparency and camaraderie alongside essential knowledge.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

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Introduction

CBPR and training gap

Barriers to HSPT participation

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Partnership

| | NIH Public Access
Author Manuscript
Prog Community Health Partnersh. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2015 July 01. | | --- | --- | N IH-PA Author Manuscr ipt N IH-PA Author Manuscr ipt N IH-PA Author Manuscript Published in final edited form as: Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2014 ; 8(2): 241–248. doi:10.1353/cpr.2014.0023 . Perceived impact of human subjects protection training on community partners in community based participatory research Nancy C. Hawley, RN, NP 1 , Mark L. Wieland, MD, MPH 1 , Jennifer A. Weis, RN, MAN 1 , and Irene G. Sia, MD, MSc 1 1Center for Translational Science Activities, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 2 Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Abstract Background—Human subject protection training (HSPT) is a requirement of Institutional Review Boards for individuals who engage in research. The lack of HSPT among community partners may contribute to power imbalance between community and academic members of community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnerships. The Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP) is an established CBPR partnership in Minnesota who works primarily with immigrant and refugee populations. Objective—To describe the implementation and evaluation of HSPT among community members of a CBPR partnership. Methods—Seven community partners participated in HSPT through adaptation of an existing institutional program. Evaluation of program acceptability was measured through a 5-item survey (5-point Likert scales) . A focus group with all 7 participants was conducted to evaluate impact of training on perceptions of research, characteristics of a successful program, and potential value of training to CBPR partnerships. Coding and inductive analysis were done on the transcript with NVIVO-9 software. Results—The HSPT program was highly acceptable (mean score= 4.5 ± 0 .2) . Focus groups revealed that training implementation should be done as a cohesive group with the opportunity to discuss concepts as they pertain to partnership projects. Training fostered an encouraging and safe environment, accommodated diverse learning styles, and promoted interaction. Participants reported improved trust in research as a result of the training. Perceived impact of the training on the CBPR partnership included improved transparency and enhanced camaraderie while establishing essential knowledge required for community leaders. Conclusions—HSPT is feasible among community members of a CBPR partnership, and may improve perceptions of research while strengthening capacity of partnerships to impact community health. Corresponding Author: Irene G. Sia, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine, Consultant, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55904, P: 507-284-3747 [sia.irene@mayo.edu](sia.irene@mayo.edu). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. N IH-PA Author Manuscr ipt N IH-PA Author Manuscr ipt N IH-PA Author Manuscript Hawley et al. Page 2 Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an increasingly prevalent approach to community-engaged research, whereby community and academic partners work together through every stage of the research process towards goals of improved community health and health equity 1. Research conducted with this framework is more likely to reflect the social, environmental, and cultural complexity that contributes to health outcomes and inequity in communities2,3 . While there is a long history of dynamic and novel models for co-learning between community and academic partners in CBPR relationships, this horizontal collaboration has not traditionally extended to participation in human subjects protection training4. Documented completion of human subjects protection training (HSPT) by researchers is a virtually ubiquitous requirement among Institutional Review Boards (IRB) in

FAQs

Why is human subject protection training (HSPT) important in community-based participatory research?

HSPT is a requirement of Institutional Review Boards for individuals involved in research. When community partners lack HSPT, participation can be limited and power imbalances may arise within CBPR partnerships.

How was the HSPT program implemented and evaluated for community partners?

Seven community partners participated through an adaptation of an existing institutional program. Acceptability was measured with a 5-item Likert survey, and a focus group explored impacts on perceptions of research and the program’s perceived value for CBPR.

What were the key findings on perceived impact after training?

The program was highly acceptable, and participants reported improved trust in research. Focus groups also described a safer, encouraging learning environment and perceived partnership benefits such as improved transparency, camaraderie, and essential knowledge for community leaders.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by James