scholarly journals Health-Related Participatory Research in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Scoping Review

Author(s):  
R. Brian Woodbury ◽  
Scott Ketchum ◽  
Vanessa Y. Hiratsuka ◽  
Paul Spicer

A scoping review was conducted to assess the state of the literature on health-related participatory research involving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Online databases were searched for relevant articles published between 1/1/2000 and 5/31/2017. 10,000+ data points relevant to community-level engagement in and regulation of research, community research capacity and cultural adaptation were extracted from 178 articles. Community engagement varied across study components: 136 (76%) articles reported community participation in research-related meetings and other events and 49 (27%) articles reported community involvement in initiation of research. 156 (88%) articles reported use of community-level tools to guide or regulate research. 93 (52%) articles reported that community members received research-related training. 147 (82%) articles described some type of cultural adaptation. Across all articles, data points on community engagement were not reported in 3061 (40%) out of 7740 cases. Findings suggest a need for increased community engagement in early stages of the research process and for reporting guidelines for participatory research involving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. There is also need to further existing research on the impact of different components of participatory research on process and outcome measures and to develop funding mechanisms that account for the time and resource intensive nature of participatory research.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Beans ◽  
Bobby Saunkeah ◽  
R. Brian Woodbury ◽  
Terry S. Ketchum ◽  
Paul G. Spicer ◽  
...  

Experiences with unethical research practices have caused some American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals, organizations, and tribes to mistrust health research. To build trust and repair relationships, current research with AIAN peoples often involves participatory research (PR) approaches. This article assesses community-level protections described in the scientific literature on PR involving AIAN communities. A scoping review search in PubMed and PsychInfo for articles published between January 2000 and June 2017 yielded an AIAN PR article dataset. Of 178 articles, a subset of 23 articles that described aspects of community protections were analyzed for descriptions of community-level protection practices. We identified the presence or absence of a description of four community protection measures in each article: a tribal research department, the development of community-level mechanisms for research regulation if not present, community collaboration throughout the research process, and project employment of a community member. The development of community-level mechanisms for research regulation was described in 39% of the articles. Ninety-one percent of these articles described community collaboration during the research process. Seventeen percent included descriptions of all four community-level protection measures. The extent and consistency to which community-level protections are described is variable; the current literature lacks reporting on community-level protection practices specific to tribal communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
Julie Beans ◽  
Bobby Saunkeah ◽  
R. Woodbury ◽  
Terry Ketchum ◽  
Paul Spicer ◽  
...  

The authors wish to make the following change to their paper (Beans et al [...]


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0255265
Author(s):  
Kathleen Murphy ◽  
Karina Branje ◽  
Tara White ◽  
Ashlee Cunsolo ◽  
Margot Latimer ◽  
...  

Introduction Participatory research involving community engagement is considered the gold standard in Indigenous health research. However, it is sometimes unclear whether and how Indigenous communities are engaged in research that impacts them, and whether and how engagement is reported. Indigenous health research varies in its degree of community engagement from minimal involvement to being community-directed and led. Research led and directed by Indigenous communities can support reconciliation and reclamation in Canada and globally, however clearer reporting and understandings of community-led research is needed. This scoping review assesses (a) how and to what extent researchers are reporting community engagement in Indigenous health research in Atlantic Canada, and (b) what recommendations exist in the literature regarding participatory and community-led research. Methods Eleven databases were searched using keywords for Indigeneity, geographic regions, health, and Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada between 2001-June 2020. Records were independently screened by two reviewers and were included if they were: peer-reviewed; written in English; health-related; and focused on Atlantic Canada. Data were extracted using a piloted data charting form, and a descriptive and thematic analysis was performed. 211 articles were retained for inclusion. Results Few empirical articles reported community engagement in all aspects of the research process. Most described incorporating community engagement at the project’s onset and/or during data collection; only a few articles explicitly identified as entirely community-directed or led. Results revealed a gap in reported capacity-building for both Indigenous communities and researchers, necessary for holistic community engagement. Also revealed was the need for funding bodies, ethics boards, and peer review processes to better facilitate participatory and community-led Indigenous health research. Conclusion As Indigenous communities continue reclaiming sovereignty over identities and territories, participatory research must involve substantive, agreed-upon involvement of Indigenous communities, with community-directed and led research as the ultimate goal.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Vining ◽  
Edgarita Long ◽  
Ella Inglebret ◽  
Megan Brendal

The overrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in special education, including children who are dual language learners (DLLs), is a major concern. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play a critical role in reducing this overrepresentation. Using a holistic assessment process that is responsive to the communication patterns of home and community contexts provides a framework for distinguishing actual language disorders from differences associated with cultural and linguistic diversity. This article presents current trends in Native communities that may impact the speech-language assessment process, including a shift from indigenous languages to English and/or Native language revitalization efforts. It also provides a framework for guiding assessment in a manner that considers cultural and linguistic factors in speech-language assessment for AI/AN children who are DLLs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahr Wali ◽  
Stefan Superina ◽  
Angela Mashford-Pringle ◽  
Heather Ross ◽  
Joseph A. Cafazzo

Abstract Background Indigenous populations have remained strong and resilient in maintaining their unique culture and values, despite centuries of colonial oppression. Unfortunately, a consequential result of facing years of adversity has led Indigenous populations to experience a disproportionate level of poorer health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous populations. Specifically, the rate of Indigenous chronic disease prevalence has significantly increased in the last decade. Many of the unique issues Indigenous populations experience are deeply rooted in their colonial history and the intergenerational traumas that has subsequently impacted their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. With this, to better improve Indigenous health outcomes, understanding the local context of their challenges is key. Studies have begun to use modes of community engagement to initiate Indigenous partnerships and design chronic disease-based interventions. However, with the lack of a methodological guideline regarding the appropriate level of community engagement to be used, there is concern that many interventions will continue to fall short in meeting community needs. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the how various community engagement strategies have been used to design and/or implement interventions for Indigenous populations with chronic disease. Methods A scoping review guided by the methods outlined by Arksey and O’Malley was conducted. A comprehensive search was completed by two reviewers in five electronic databases using keywords related to community engagement, Indigenous health and chronic disease. Studies were reviewed using a descriptive-analytical narrative method and data was categorized into thematic groups reflective of the main findings. Results We identified 23 articles that met the criteria for this scoping review. The majority of the studies included the use a participatory research model and the procurement of study approval. However, despite the claimed use of participatory research methods, only 6 studies had involved community members to identify the area of priority and only five had utilized Indigenous interview styles to promote meaningful feedback. Adapting for the local cultural context and the inclusion of community outreach were identified as the key themes from this review. Conclusion Many studies have begun to adopt community engagement strategies to better meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples. With the lack of a clear guideline to approach Indigenous-based participatory research, we recommend that researchers focus on 1) building partnerships, 2) obtaining study approval and 3) adapting interventions to the local context.


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