Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants
Abstract Introduction: Community engagement in research (CEnR) is fundamental to recruitment and retention in research studies. CEnR study closure, with a view to promote subsequent interactions with participants, can foster long-term relationships between research teams and participants. We detai...
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125000822/type/journal_article |
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| author | Martha I. Arrieta L. Lynette Parker Erica Sutherland Robert W. Sobol |
| author_facet | Martha I. Arrieta L. Lynette Parker Erica Sutherland Robert W. Sobol |
| author_sort | Martha I. Arrieta |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
Introduction:
Community engagement in research (CEnR) is fundamental to recruitment and retention in research studies. CEnR study closure, with a view to promote subsequent interactions with participants, can foster long-term relationships between research teams and participants. We detail the principles, procedures and outcomes of respectful closure in a study focused on scaling-up tools to measure DNA integrity in population samples.
Methods:
The study incorporated CEnR principles and practices, engaging a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to guide most study procedures. The CAB-designed closure protocol included 1) attempts at one-on-one contact via telephone, followed by a letter, if no contact was established; 2) provision of a study closure packet; 3) periodic mailing of study updates; and 4) a request for sustained interaction with the Community Engagement Team (CE Team), including participants’ approval to receive invitations for future projects. Items 3 and 4 were framed as choices to further interaction and its extent.
Results:
Among 191 participants enrolled, 119 were contacted at closure (62% retention rate). Most frequently (97.5%), contacted participants agreed to receive information about new research projects, while 90.8% agreed to receive ongoing information about the DNA integrity study. Subsequently, the CE Team implemented two study update mailings and two CEnR studies, enrolling 18 participants in a consultative role and four in a collaborative role.
Conclusions:
Respectful study closure offers avenues for sustained interaction between CEnR teams and study participants, beyond the discrete boundaries of specific research projects. It can support the long-term connections that enable the positive outcomes of CEnR.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7b8c52b79da0479baaf770c1d1d2d5ea |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-7b8c52b79da0479baaf770c1d1d2d5ea2025-08-20T03:13:07ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612025-01-01910.1017/cts.2025.82Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participantsMartha I. Arrieta0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2514-5743L. Lynette Parker1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3535-3362Erica Sutherland2Robert W. Sobol3Center for Healthy Communities, USA Health, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USACenter for Healthy Communities, USA Health, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USACenter for Healthy Communities, USA Health, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA USA Health Clinical Trials Office, Mobile, AL, USAMitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School & Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Abstract Introduction: Community engagement in research (CEnR) is fundamental to recruitment and retention in research studies. CEnR study closure, with a view to promote subsequent interactions with participants, can foster long-term relationships between research teams and participants. We detail the principles, procedures and outcomes of respectful closure in a study focused on scaling-up tools to measure DNA integrity in population samples. Methods: The study incorporated CEnR principles and practices, engaging a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to guide most study procedures. The CAB-designed closure protocol included 1) attempts at one-on-one contact via telephone, followed by a letter, if no contact was established; 2) provision of a study closure packet; 3) periodic mailing of study updates; and 4) a request for sustained interaction with the Community Engagement Team (CE Team), including participants’ approval to receive invitations for future projects. Items 3 and 4 were framed as choices to further interaction and its extent. Results: Among 191 participants enrolled, 119 were contacted at closure (62% retention rate). Most frequently (97.5%), contacted participants agreed to receive information about new research projects, while 90.8% agreed to receive ongoing information about the DNA integrity study. Subsequently, the CE Team implemented two study update mailings and two CEnR studies, enrolling 18 participants in a consultative role and four in a collaborative role. Conclusions: Respectful study closure offers avenues for sustained interaction between CEnR teams and study participants, beyond the discrete boundaries of specific research projects. It can support the long-term connections that enable the positive outcomes of CEnR. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125000822/type/journal_articleCommunity engaged researchstudy closuretrustsustained interactionlong-term connections |
| spellingShingle | Martha I. Arrieta L. Lynette Parker Erica Sutherland Robert W. Sobol Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Community engaged research study closure trust sustained interaction long-term connections |
| title | Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants |
| title_full | Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants |
| title_fullStr | Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants |
| title_short | Respectful closure of a CEnR DNA integrity study: A bridge to sustained interactions with research participants |
| title_sort | respectful closure of a cenr dna integrity study a bridge to sustained interactions with research participants |
| topic | Community engaged research study closure trust sustained interaction long-term connections |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866125000822/type/journal_article |
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