Recorded presentation

Gary Chovnick, MPH, HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 901 Boren Avenue, Suite 1320, Seattle, WA 98104, 206-667-2300, gchovnic@fhcrc.org

Community Advisory Boards (CABs) have been successfully used in research settings involving human subjects as a way to provide community input, guide research, and actively engage communities from which study participants are recruited. CABs have been particularly utilized in HIV/AIDS clinical trials. In NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) trials in particular, AIDS research programs are required to have a CAB. Researchers, however, face numerous challenges in maintaining a successful Community Advisory Board. Specific challenges include actively engaging CAB members in decision making, maintaining diversity in membership, retaining and motivating members, soliciting community input, and ensuring that CAB concerns are brought to the attention of researchers. Here we address these challenges and present our plan for a successful Community Advisory Board.

The process began with a satisfaction survey among our current CAB members to determine aspects of the CAB that might need improving. Other action items included specifically defining CAB member roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Our efforts also included identifying ways to actively engage and motivate members. Recruitment and retention was also a priority and events were organized, and new documents created, to thank current members and attract new ones. New volunteer contracts were also developed giving members an opportunity to either renew their commitment or make it easier to leave if they were ready to move on. Since the process began, we have doubled the size of our CAB, increased diversity in membership, and taken concrete steps to create a more satisfied and better functioning CAB.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Recognize the importance of a Community Advisory Board in research with human subjects.
• 2. Identify problems that may arise in maintaining a Community Advisory Board
• 3. Create a plan for re-motivating a Community Advisory Board

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Community Involvement

Related Web page: www.seattlevaccines.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: HIV Vaccine Trials Unit
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employed as a community educator in the HIV Vaccine Trials Unit

Recorded presentation