Transcript Slide 1
Engaging Area Health Education Centers as Community Research Partners
Cheri
1
Tolle ,
Mark
1
Dignan ,
Kayla
2
Rose ,
Dwain
3
Harris ,
and Michael
4
Gayheart
In 2005, the University of Kentucky Prevention Research Center (UK PRC) received a 5-year grant to increase colorectal cancer screening among rural primary care practices.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in Kentucky, and screening rates lag behind national rates. To conduct research at the community level, the UK PRC
developed a partnership with three Area Health Education Centers (AHECS) that have well-established outreach and educational programs for rural health care professionals.
This partnership has provided a unique opportunity for the UK PRC and AHECs to become research partners in a community-based behavioral research project.
Colorectal Cancer in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky
Academic Detailers
• AHEC employees
• Part-time professionals living within research study area
• Work with researchers on designing and delivering the intervention
• Recruit rural community physicians to the study
Sharpsburg Clinic, Bath County KY
Northeast AHEC Region
University of Kentucky Prevention Research Center
Area Health Education Centers
Research Design
UK PRC
Engage communities in Appalachian Kentucky and beyond to
promote health and reduce the cancer burden through
education, training, and research
Recruitment and
Baseline Assessment
• Practice recruitment
• Provider interview
• Readiness to change
assessment
• Medical record
review (60 per practice)
Prevention Research Center
AHEC
Improve the quality, distribution and retention of healthcare
professionals through:
• Clinical rotations for healthcare students
• Library services for community students and healthcare
professionals
• Continuing education programs for health professionals
• Health career guidance to encourage local young people to
become health professionals
• Community health education programs for children and adults
66 Practices
Randomization
Intervention Six-Month
Post-Intervention
Data Collection
Stratify on
Provide
Post-intervention
readiness and
academic
provider
assign practices detailing
interview and
to intervention or intervention medical record
control
review
18-Month
Post-Intervention
Data Collection
Second postintervention
provider interview
and medical
record review
Group 1 (n = 33) Intervention
O
O
Randomize
Group 2 (n = 33) Delayed
intervention
O
O
1. University of Kentucky Prevention Research Center, Lexington KY USA
2. Northeast Kentucky AHEC, Morehead KY, USA
Homeplace Clinic, Perry County KY
Southeast AHEC Region
3. Southern Kentucky AHEC, Mt. Vernon KY, USA
4. Southeast Kentucky AHEC, Hazard KY, USA
Funding provided by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention