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

Susan L Murphy; Gina M Jay; Elias M Samuels; Brenda L Eakin; Alexandra E Harper; Gretchen A Piatt; Vanessa I Trujillo; Kristen L Weeks-Norton; Catherine W Striley; Catina O'Leary; Jordan Hahn; Daphne C Watkins; Linda B Cottler; Sergio Aguilar Gaxiola

doi:10.1017/cts.2023.624

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

J Clin Transl Sci. 2023 Sep 5;7(1):e195. doi: 10.1017/cts.2023.624. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Susan L Murphy^{1

2}, Gina M Jay², Elias M Samuels¹, Brenda L Eakin¹, Alexandra E Harper², Gretchen A Piatt³, Vanessa I Trujillo^{4

5}, Kristen L Weeks-Norton^{4

5}, Catherine W Striley⁶, Catina O'Leary⁷, Jordan Hahn¹, Daphne C Watkins⁸, Linda B Cottler⁶, Sergio Aguilar Gaxiola^{4

5

9}

Affiliations

¹ Michigan Institute of Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
² Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
³ Department of Learning Health Sciences, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁴ Clinical and Translational Science Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
⁵ Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
⁶ Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainseville, FL, USA.
⁷ Health Literacy Media, St. Louis, MO, USA.
⁸ School of Social Work, Vivian A. and James L. Curtis Center for Health Equity Research and Training, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
⁹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.

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.

Keywords: Community health workers; cultural adaptation; promotoras; research competency; research training.

Grants and funding

P30 DK092926/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States