Investigator, staff, and community stakeholder perspectives: Meaningfully engaging community partners in research
The BRITE study was a 5-year project that focused on the process of transitioning for people who had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from inpatient rehabilitation care to discharge to the community. The study had stakeholder or research partner groups who acted as investigators throughout the duration of the project and through their engagement contributed to the planning, design and dissemination of BRITE. These groups of individuals share a connection to traumatic brain injury – people who have had a TBI, people who cared for someone who had a TBI, and professionals who have a connection to TBI. Here, we dive into the perspectives of the BRITE investigators, study staff, and stakeholders to understand what kept them engaged throughout the study.
Video and Tip Sheet 1:
Building Community
Check out our tips and strategies for creating a study that prioritizes engagement from the beginning. Learn what tools resonated with community research partners and facilitated building a strong community!
Take a look at our tip sheet with more details on the strategies done prior to the BRITE study’s onset.
Video and Tip Sheet 2:
Virtual Projects
How do you build community when stakeholders are in different states with different time zones? Here are some of the strategies we used build and maintain our engagement.
Check out our tip sheet for more tools on how to make virtual meetings feel engaging.
Video and Tip Sheet 3:
Simplifying Participation
Everyone can struggle with feeling overwhelmed when participating in a study, and folks who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) also have to juggle the challenges related to their injury. Don’t worry! This video focuses on how we gauge each stakeholder’s comfort level with sharing their experiences.
Take a look at our tip sheet for more examples on how to simplify participation for your community engagement group.
Video and Tip Sheet 4:
Managing Concerns
It can be hard for people to speak up if they aren't sure that what they have to say is important. This video illustrates how we created an environment that values people sharing their perspective.
You can find more examples on creating a comfortable environment for your advisory board members on this tip sheet.
Video and Tip Sheet 5:
Support During COVID-19
Did the COVID-19 pandemic stop the engagement of the BRITE Advisory Boards? NO! This video focuses on how COVID affected our advisory boards and the strategies that helped us to remain engaged. The team worked together to make adjustments that prioritized continued engagement throughout a difficult time.
Take a look at our tip sheet for more details and strategies!
Video and Tip Sheet 6:
Working Through Differences
How do you maintain engagement and group connection despite people having differing opinions and beliefs? Here are the strategies we used in BRITE!
Looking for some examples on how we implemented these strategies? Take a look at our tip sheet!
Supplemental Tip Sheet 1:
Group Formation
Group size and meeting length are important factors when constructing the team, especially in a virtual setting. Check out our suggestions before creating your group!
Supplemental Tip Sheet 2:
Diversity and Inclusion
Check out our stakeholder’s perspectives on finding ways to increase diversity and inclusion in your group. Don’t be afraid to expand your network.
Supplemental Tip Sheet 3:
Suggestions for a Successful Group
The BRITE stakeholders had even more ideas on how to increase team engagement! Check out this tip sheet for their additional recommendations.
