TraCS service helps researchers incorporate community feedback
The Patient and Community Engagement in Research (PaCER) program at NC TraCS works with researchers to improve the health of all North Carolinians by promoting the meaningful engagement of diverse communities and patients.
One valuable way to enhance research is through gathering and incorporating community feedback. Trained PaCER staff are available to facilitate Community Feedback Sessions (CFS) for researchers interested in obtaining patient and community partner input on the design, implementation, or dissemination of a research project. These sessions last 1.5-2 hours and aim to elicit authentic and constructive feedback from a small group of partners.
How can a CFS help my research?
- Partner insight and perspectives can inform research questions and approaches, leading to studies that are more relevant and less burdensome to potential participants
- Partners can help to refine proposals and identify potential barriers and challenges to recruitment and retention
- Partners can provide input on the cultural and linguistic acceptability of recruitment materials, consent forms, or data collections tools like surveys or interview guides
The leadership and facilitation was brilliant...We had a very positive experience and I'm so glad we did this...one of the coolest things I've been a part of, and so helpful.
Since starting the service in 2022, PaCER has conducted over 30 community feedback sessions across 16 different research projects with 250+ community experts participating (community experts have included many types of key constituents such as community members, patients, caregivers, parents, providers, organizational representatives, etc.). Researchers who have provided feedback on this service unanimously state that they would recommend it to their colleagues.
Learn more
View the Community Feedback Session FAQ (pdf) for details about this valuable service.