Research partnerships between academic clinical researchers and rural health care practitioners and their patients have been advocated as a potential solution to improving adoption of translational research in rural settings. Programs primed to foster such partnerships are Community Engagement (CE) programs often funded through Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA). CTSA programs provide the infrastructure for CE, workforce development, research training, and support of translational research with the overall goal to bridge the gap between health research, equity, and practice. CE programs facilitate research that addresses community priorities and reduces barriers for communities to participate in academic or clinical research.
The Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS), the University of Washington’s (UW) CTSA program, is uniquely positioned to improve rural health equity through the rural community relationships it has maintained and the translational health resources it can dispatch through the CE program to rural communities in the region.
The authors outlined the critical role translational science programs play in supporting community-led clinical research initiatives and emphasized the importance of directly connecting with community partners. Best practices outlined in the publication include:
Encouraging Academic and Community Partners to Share their Recommendations and Perspectives
Implementing Community-Driven Processes
Aiming for Inclusive and Adaptable Engagement
Dr. Kelly McGrath
The Rural Health Lab, an ITHS Community Engagement initiative started in 2023, is a collaborative effort led by Dr. Allison Cole and Dr. Kelly McGrath to address health disparities in rural communities throughout Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, (WWAMI). By collaborating with organizations such as the WWAMI region Practice and Research Network (WPRN), Clearwater Valley Health, and St. Mary’s Health, the Rural Health Lab focuses on identifying and tackling the most significant health challenges faced by underrepresented populations.
The Rural Health Initiative: Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Access and Grant-Funded Research in Central Idaho, published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.
