What is the role of culture, diversity, and community engagement in transdisciplinary translational science?

Abstract

Concepts of culture and diversity are necessary considerations in the scientific application of theory generation and developmental processes of preventive interventions; yet, culture and/or diversity are often overlooked until later stages (e.g., adaptation [T3] and dissemination [T4]) of the translational science process.Here, we present a conceptual framework focused on the seamless incorporation of culture and diversity throughout the various stages of the translational science process (T1-T5). Informed by a community-engaged research approach, this framework guides integration of cultural and diversity considerations at each phase with emphasis on the importance and value of Bcitizen scientists^being research partners to promote ecological validity. The integrated partnership covers the first phase of intervention development through final phases that ultimately facilitate more global, universal translation of changes in attitudes, norms, and systems. Our comprehensive model for incorporating culture and diversity into translational research provides a basis for further discussion and translational science development.

Measuring institutional community engagement: Adding value to academic health systems

“…CEnR is a research process like any other research (e.g., basic, clinical research) and should be treated in a similar way [1]. In addition to this assumption, the need for translational science, which goes from T1 to T5, requires involvement of larger stakeholders that include communities, and CE is a recognized process of making community inclusion happen [10,[12][13][14]. Integrating CE with the AHSs missions of clinical care, research, and education is essential to realize the benefits of CE and its ability to improve health [1,10,12,13].…”

“…In translational science research covering phases T1-T5, the critical aspect is moving research bi-directionally from bench to bedside to curbside [13,15]. To get the community involved (curbside), there is a demand that communities become partners in all stages of research [10,12,13].…”

“…In translational science research covering phases T1-T5, the critical aspect is moving research bi-directionally from bench to bedside to curbside [13,15]. To get the community involved (curbside), there is a demand that communities become partners in all stages of research [10,12,13]. CEnR lends itself to make this process move in an effective manner where collaboration and engagement of stakeholders are fundamentally built on the principles of CE [1,12,13].…”

Scientific Culture, Power and Sustainability in Environmental Intervention Schemes

“…This distance is reflected in a lack of communication and mutual understanding resulting in the loss of opportunities on both sides [24]. Translation knowledge is more widely accepted in fields where cultural difference is a key element in problem solving, for example in preventive medicine [25], where lifestyle habits and socio-environmental relationships are as important or more so than the medical treatments themselves, and the cultural distance between both sides impacts on the effectiveness and efficacy of treatments and public health in general.…”

Active involved community partnerships: co-creating implementation infrastructure for getting to and sustaining social impact

“…Beyond a focus on cultural fit of the program [8][9][10][11], broader attention to community engagement and partnering in the process of implementation can strengthen what we know as core factors essential for getting research into real-world practice [12][13][14][15][16][17]. Community participation and engagement in implementation research and practice are not a new concept, per se [18][19][20][21][22][23], and can range along a continuum from more passive forms of consultation and ongoing feedback to collaboration and more active roles in decision making [24].…”