NASHVILLE, Tenn. Trust is one of the most cited barriers to participating in research, especially among underrepresented groups. To alleviate this barrier, researchers need a trust measurement that incorporates domains of trust important to those groups.
Thesis
Vanderbilt University public health student and Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) Research Immersion participant Carleigh Frazier discussed the development of that scale on February 21, when she presented her Masters in Public Health thesis.
“The Wilkins Lab is developing such a scale,” she explained, “and from the pilot data, I questioned whether there are associations between previous participation in research and trust scale scores in minorities.”
Build better trust
Frazier, who was curious about healthcare at an early age, became interested in public health during her junior year at Fisk University. That interest drove her to pursue a Masters Degree in Public Health, and eventually to the MVA.
While working with the Alliance, Frazier assisted with the Faith & Health Collaborative.
“I hope this information can help researchers understand and build better trust between those within the research community and those too often excluded from the research community,” she said.
About the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Alliance bridges the institutions of Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Its mission is to enrich learning and advance clinical research in three primary areas -- community engagement, interprofessional education and research -- by developing and supporting mutually beneficial partnerships between Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the communities they serve. Through community engagement, the Alliance serves a large community of stakeholders including surrounding universities and colleges, community organizations, faith-based outlets and community health centers. Its interprofessional education enhances students' interdisciplinary understanding and improves patient outcomes through integrated care. The research conducted provides access to experienced grant writers and materials supporting the grant application process and facilitates grant-writing workshops.
