Evaluation of an online research best practices training for community health workers and promotoras

Abstract

Introduction: Community health workers and promotoras (CHW/Ps) have a fundamental role in facilitating research with communities. However, no national standard training exists as part of the CHW/P job role. We developed and evaluated a culturally- and linguistically tailored online research best practices course for CHW/Ps to meet this gap. Methods: After the research best practices course was developed, we advertised the opportunity to CHW/Ps nationwide to complete the training online in English or Spanish. Following course completion, CHW/Ps received an online survey to rate their skills in community-engaged research and their perceptions of the course using Likert scales of agreement. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on open-ended response data. Results: 104 CHW/Ps completed the English or Spanish course (n = 52 for each language; mean age 42 years SD ± 12); 88% of individuals identified as female and 56% identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Spaniard. 96%–100% of respondents reported improvement in various skills. Nearly all CHW/Ps (97%) agreed the course was relevant to their work, and 96% felt the training was useful. Qualitative themes related to working more effectively as a result of training included enhanced skills, increased resources, and building bridges between communities and researchers. Discussion: The CHW/P research best practices course was rated as useful and relevant by CHW/Ps, particularly for communicating about research with community members. This course can be a professional development resource for CHW/Ps and could serve as the foundation for a national standardized training on their role related to research best practices.

The development of a clinical research educational training for community health workers using the joint task force for clinical trial competency framework

“…Over the course of developing and launching this training, we found that there is a pervasive need for CHWs in New York City and the U.S. broadly to expand their knowledge of clinical research. Murphy et al identified a similar gap and developed an online course for CHWs on research best practices ( Murphy et al, 2023 ). The training was received positively as both useful and relevant by both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking CHWs, further demonstrating a need for this training.…”

“…A well-trained community-based workforce in research is better prepared to engage the community actively while enhancing their knowledge of research and participation in trials. In addition, as we recruit more diverse participants into clinical research, it will be imperative to have a community-centered, multi-lingual, and diverse, research-trained workforce that reflects the population ( Murphy et al, 2023 ). For example, CHWs who understand their clients’ health conditions are able to navigate them to eligible therapeutic clinical trials.…”