Abstract
This proposal is based on the philosophy of Participative Inquiry, which aims to produce knowledge directly useful to a group of people, empower them in use of the knowledge, help them explore problems from their perspective and generate ideas to manage or resolve these problems. The underlying principles of collaboration, mutual education, equality and empowerment in this type of inquiry are uniquely relevant to vulnerable and minority populations (Israel, Lichtenstein, Lantz, et al, 2001; Macaulay, Commanda, Freeman, et al, 1999; Minkler, 2003). Community based participatory research (CBPR) represents the need for participatory approaches to public health (Israel, et al, 2001) and the need for creative research approaches to address health disparities (Braun, Mokau, Hunt, Kaanoi & Gotay, 2002; Minkler, 2003). This CBPR proposal is designed to bring breast cancer survivors and key stakeholder groups to share knowledge gained from survivors with the community and to develop an explicit structure to foster participation and a partnership that builds on established relationships (Krieger, Allen, Cheadle, et al, 2002). Knobf, Erdos, Johnston, Johnson-Thomas & Reynolds (2003) conducted a recent study with African American breast cancer survivors in Connecticut and described unique issues, concerns, and coping styles and identified resource limitations. One of the barriers to getting African American women involved in research is the lack of connecting them to outcomes and findings (Moore, 2003). The goal of the partnership in this proposal is to develop a collaborative effort to explore how to use the knowledge in the community, identify priority outcomes, generate ideas to improve access and resources to women of color with cancer and to discuss potential future research projects. As information and resources for breast cancer specific to women of color become more known and available, this knowledge will be shared with families (sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and cousins), and with all women of color. The collaboration of community partners in the state will assist in empowering women of color with breast cancer with knowledge and support and promote access to resources.
The proposed CBPR project will include four group meetings: (1) initial partnership development meeting to establish an advisory group for the overall project (Krieger, et aI, 2002), (2)a large invitational meeting of community participants and partners, and (3) two follow-up meetings of the advisory group and community partners. The purpose of the initial meeting is to identify participants who would be interested in becoming community partners for strategic planning to better meet the needs of women of color with cancer. The purpose of the second meeting is to disseminate information to the participants and the broader community, identify additional partners and generate ideas for community action. The purpose of the final meetings is designed to foster the participation of the partners in the process and explore options to sustain the partnership over time.
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Principal Investigator
M. Tish Knobf
Co-Investigators
Pauline Green
Beatrice Adderley-Kelly
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