Kimberly D Campbell-Voytal1, Kendra L Schwartz1, Hiam Hamade2, Florence J Dallo3, Anne Victoria Neale1. 1. Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. 2. Community Health and Research Center, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Dearborn, MI, USA. 3. Department of Public and Environmental Wellness, Oakland University School of Health Sciences, Rochester, MI, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Arab Muslim and Chaldean Christian American community is unified by language but culturally diverse. Researchers are challenged to engage the Arab/Chaldean community to meet immigrant health needs. Arabs/Chaldeans are identified as white in clinical data sets making it difficult to identify health behaviours and patterns unique to the community. OBJECTIVES: To explore the views of members of the Arab/Chaldean community, including researchers and the lay public, regarding health research participation and the role of clinicians, researchers and community leaders in the research process. METHODS: A qualitative study of Arab and Chaldean adults and researchers conducted in a US community with a large Arab/Chaldean population. Five semi-structured focus group discussions were triangulated with five in-depth semi-structured interviews with Arab or Chaldean primary care researchers. Responses were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed, and findings confirmed with community representatives. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (i) research expectations: risks and benefits; (ii) health care environment: clinicians as recruiters and (iii) research participations: risks and benefits. Themes captured concerns with social relationships, reputation or trust and the cost and benefit of research participation. In the Arab/Chaldean community, institutional and political fears and distrust are amplified. Respect for physicians, teachers and faith leaders connected with or recruiting for studies enhances likelihood of research participation. CONCLUSION: Clinical researchers should address the cultural and immigration histories of Arab/Chaldean research participants. Studies that maximize trust will minimize participation bias and lay the groundwork for improved health. Institutional, sociocultural and personal factors require a pre-study phase to engage and educate participants.
BACKGROUND: The Arab Muslim and Chaldean Christian American community is unified by language but culturally diverse. Researchers are challenged to engage the Arab/Chaldean community to meet immigrant health needs. Arabs/Chaldeans are identified as white in clinical data sets making it difficult to identify health behaviours and patterns unique to the community. OBJECTIVES: To explore the views of members of the Arab/Chaldean community, including researchers and the lay public, regarding health research participation and the role of clinicians, researchers and community leaders in the research process. METHODS: A qualitative study of Arab and Chaldean adults and researchers conducted in a US community with a large Arab/Chaldean population. Five semi-structured focus group discussions were triangulated with five in-depth semi-structured interviews with Arab or Chaldean primary care researchers. Responses were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed, and findings confirmed with community representatives. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (i) research expectations: risks and benefits; (ii) health care environment: clinicians as recruiters and (iii) research participations: risks and benefits. Themes captured concerns with social relationships, reputation or trust and the cost and benefit of research participation. In the Arab/Chaldean community, institutional and political fears and distrust are amplified. Respect for physicians, teachers and faith leaders connected with or recruiting for studies enhances likelihood of research participation. CONCLUSION: Clinical researchers should address the cultural and immigration histories of Arab/Chaldean research participants. Studies that maximize trust will minimize participation bias and lay the groundwork for improved health. Institutional, sociocultural and personal factors require a pre-study phase to engage and educate participants.
Authors: Shahrazad M Timraz; Dalia I Alhasanat; Maha M Albdour; Linda Lewin; Carmen Giurgescu; Karen Kavanaugh Journal: Appl Nurs Res Date: 2016-10-03 Impact factor: 2.257
Authors: Christina M Getrich; Andrew L Sussman; Kimberly Campbell-Voytal; Janice Y Tsoh; Robert L Williams; Anthony E Brown; Michael B Potter; William Spears; Nancy Weller; John Pascoe; Kendra Schwartz; Anne Victoria Neale Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2013 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 5.166