Abstract Background Racial and ethnic underrepresentation in aging research and need for effective recruitment strategies is well documented. A Community Research Liaison (CRL) role created under a NIA award is demonstrating the value of embedding staff from underrepresented communities in the research infrastructure. Methods The role and qualifications for a CRL were developed with individuals from an African American community. The CRL hired from this community is engaging in outreach to understand barriers to and discuss the value of research with community members. Through the CRL, community input is being translated into changes in recruitment methods that reflect the concerns, interests and needs of potential African American participants. This case study reports on recruitment outcomes for a study on markers of cognitive decline in older adults requiring 2 hours in an MRI, 5 for testing, and 3 for travel. Recruitment data are compared 6 months before and 3 months after the CRL was engaged. Result In the 6 months prior to the CRL’s involvement, 309 individuals passed an initial screening and 156 were found potentially eligible after a second screening. Five (3.2%) of the 156 were African American. Of these, one was found ineligible, one was lost to follow‐up and the 3 participated in the study. In the first 3 months after the CRL was engaged, 35 were referred to the study after recruitment by the CRL. All were African American, 15 (43%) were eligible and enrolled, 9 (26%) were ineligible, and 9 (26%) are still in the screening process. Conclusion The case study demonstrates the promise of a CRL who is a member of an African American community in increasing African American participation in research. The CRL dramatically increased the number of older African Americans recruited despite potential participation barriers. The increase was due in large part to the CRL’s understanding of and recognition as a trusted member of the community and to changes she recommended to promotional materials and logistics based on community feedback. Data on recruitment effectiveness are continuing to be evaluated across a range of aging research studies and clinical trials in which the CRL is engaged.
Abstract Background Older adults, especially minoritized racial-ethnic groups, are historically underrepresented in biomedical research. This study summarizes the development and assesses the impact of a review board involving a multisectoral group of stakeholders with the goal of increasing the diversity of older adults in biomedical research. Methods A 25-member board of community members, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians from Upstate New York reviewed 3 projects presented by researchers, clinician-scientists, and a pharmaceutical company between January and December 2022. For each biomedical research project, the reviews provided guidance to increase the recruitment and retention of diverse older adults engaged in the study. Review board members and presenters completed surveys to provide feedback on their experience in this collaboration. Results There was consistent positive feedback from all members and presenters. From member surveys, feedback trended positive in meetings throughout the year. Community members and caregivers initially indicated discomfort in expressing their views; however, these concerns subsided over time. Presenters had a very positive experience in the review board’s impact on their recruitment strategy and study design, and therefore very likely to use this service again. Recommendations were made to adjust membership criteria, presentation format, and funding to sustain this effort. Conclusions Lack of diversity for older adults represented in biomedical research contributes to ethical and generalizability ramifications. The positive feedback from all stakeholders in our multisectoral board of community members, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians offers a promising structure for developing similar strategies to increase diversity within and beyond biomedical aging research in other communities.
The purpose of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) certification/maintenance of certification examination is to measure the basic knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality care to patients and their families. More than 25 years ago, the ABFM became the first American Board of Medical
