Transcript Community Engagement Developed through the APTR Initiative to Enhance Prevention and Population Health Education in collaboration with the Brody School of Medicine.

Community Engagement
Developed through the APTR Initiative to Enhance Prevention and Population
Health Education in collaboration with the Brody School of Medicine at East
Carolina University with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
APTR wishes to acknowledge the following individuals who
developed this module:
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Anh Tran, PhD, MPH
Duke University School of Medicine , Department of Community & Family Medicine
Duke Center for Community Research

Victoria S. Kaprielian, MD, FAAFP
Duke University School of Medicine , Department of Community & Family Medicine
This education module is made possible through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) Cooperative Agreement, No. 5U50CD300860. The module
represents the opinions of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention or the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research.
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Define the concept of community, community health, and
community engagement.
Identify and define the fundamental principles of working
with a community.
List actions to implement the aims of the fundamental
principles of community engagement.
Explain some of the complexities of working with a
community.
Delineate a structured process to plan for community health
programs.
A group of people who:
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Are linked by social ties
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Share common perspectives or interests
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May or may not share a geographic location
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Clinical discipline that combines health care delivery
and public health.
 By combining these fields, health care is moved beyond
medical centers and into communities.
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Develop programs that build bridges between
medical centers and communities by using:
 Evidence-based medicine
 Public health methods
 Infrastructure and health care delivery resources
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Can reach more than one patient at a time
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Broader impact on health
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More cost effective
Effective and well developed community health
programs can have a sustained impact on the health
of a community.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) defines community-engagement as:
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“The process of working collaboratively with and
through groups of people affiliated by geographic
proximity, special interest, or similar situations to
address issues affecting the well-being of those
people.”
(CDC/ATSDR Committee on Community Engagement,1997)
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Making assumptions about the health needs of a
group
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Not meeting with community members to discuss
health issues and solicit feedback
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Some communities feel over-researched.
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Researchers come to take data and don’t give back.
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Communities may feel that researchers will “drain”
their resources.
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“Turf issues” among community members can
hinder trust.
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Understand community context/geography
Respect social customs
Respect cultural beliefs and behaviors
Recognize that people communicate differently
Be approachable
Observe community etiquette
Work towards becoming culturally competent
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Do an inventory
 clinical resources
 social services
 other agencies
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Talk to people
 race relations
 political issues
 social and environmental conditions
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Read about history of the area
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Read the local paper to know current issues
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Observe how community members interact with
each other and with visitors.
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Be aware of group norms regarding physical contact.
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Unless directed otherwise, address people formally,
not by first name.
Ultimately respect the views and decisions of
community members.
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Observe interactions carefully to develop sensitivity
to cultural differences.
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Respect cultural differences when interacting with
community members.
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Understand the role that culture plays in:
 Overall health care
 Prevention attitudes
 Treatment decisions
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Awareness of:
 regional speech differences
 cultural variations in meaning of words
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Maintain eye contact /general communication with
the person speaking.
 especially when working with interpreter
Ask questions if you do not understand what is being
said.
 Paraphrase what you think the person said to make
sure you have understood them.
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Remember that you are a guest when you are
visiting in a community.
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Be open and ready to learn.
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Be patient and polite. Take the time to listen
carefully to community stories and discussions.
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As a representative of your institution, be mindful
of being on time and of your overall presentation.
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If not sure of how to dress or how to negotiate
community norms, ask a community member.
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Be aware of the power hierarchy and of community
gatekeepers who can provide helpful insight.
How to increase cultural competency for community
work:
Examine your own cultural assumptions and beliefs
Consider every encounter as a cross-cultural
experience
 Be flexible and adaptable
 Be aware of the differences within groups
 Be prepared to address communication barriers
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Respectfully approach community
leaders/residents.
Talk to community leaders/members about their
health concerns.
Match your interests with a community’s areas of
concern.
Form a community advisory board (CAB).
Solicit help from CAB and others to develop
a program plan.
Make plans for financial sustainability.
With the CAB, plan program evaluations to monitor
progress and results.
8. Implement the program.
9. Use progress data to modify the program to
improve it.
10. Use results data to document the program's
impact.
11. Thank all who have contributed to the program.
12. Disseminate outcomes to all involved and to wider
audiences.
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Determinants of community health are often multilayered and interrelated
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Practicing the fundamentals of community
engagement can help gain a community’s trust and
determine a community’s true health needs.
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Implementing successful community health
programs require thoughtful planning and
collaboration with community partners.
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Department of Public Health
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
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Center for Public Health Continuing Education
University at Albany School of Public Health
Mike Barry, CAE
Lorrie Basnight, MD
Nancy Bennett, MD, MS
Ruth Gaare Bernheim, JD, MPH
Amber Berrian, MPH
James Cawley, MPH, PA-C
Jack Dillenberg, DDS, MPH
Kristine Gebbie, RN, DrPH
Asim Jani, MD, MPH, FACP
Denise Koo, MD, MPH
Suzanne Lazorick, MD, MPH
Rika Maeshiro, MD, MPH
Dan Mareck, MD
Steve McCurdy, MD, MPH
Susan M. Meyer, PhD
Sallie Rixey, MD, MEd
Nawraz Shawir, MBBS
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Sharon Hull, MD, MPH
President
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Allison L. Lewis
Executive Director
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O. Kent Nordvig, MEd
Project Representative