Abstract B065: First year results of a cancer disparities curriculum to address mistrust and misunderstanding between basic science researchers and community members
Authors: Cawthra Tobi A. , Pinsoneault Laura , Gardner-Volle Kristen , Olson Jessica , Krause Alexis , Thomas Deborah , Stolley Melinda , Williams Carol 
Published: January 2023

In Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities, historical and current systemic inequities result in medical mistrust limiting participation in biomedical studies. At the same time, many researchers misunderstand the context of communities experiencing the highest disparities, which may produce incomplete or inapplicable research questions. These conditions constrain the development of new and relevant biomedical research questions and hampers understanding of biological, clinical, and social factors holding disparities in place. With the goal of reducing misunderstanding and mistrust between researchers and community members, a team led by a senior basic science researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and a retired community college faculty member launched a pilot 9-month bi-weekly Cancer Disparities Curriculum for Research and Community Scholars in Fall 2021. This curriculum is a project of the Community and Cancer Science Network (CCSN) which promotes transdisciplinary collaboration with equitable engagement of non-academic audiences as full partners and emphasizing co-learning and co-developing of solutions. Designed for early career basic scientists (“research scholars”) and Milwaukee community members (“community scholars”), the curriculum included topics such as cancer disparities, social determinants of health, bias, racism, communicating with different audiences, and bridging diverse perspectives. Respected experts from the Milwaukee community and MCW facilitated the sessions. Additionally, dyad pairs of one research and one community scholar worked throughout the 9-months to develop project plans to address cancer disparities incorporating both perspectives. At the end of the program, the scholars presented these plans to MCW faculty and staff, and community leaders and members. To assess the impact of the curriculum and to continuously improve its delivery, the team used quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection throughout the pilot curriculum. These methods included attendance data, scholar surveys, facilitator surveys, and observations and debriefs of each session, all of which have informed adjustments to the curriculum. Following the conclusion of the first cohort in May 2022, the evaluation team began its preliminary review and found that scholars reported an increase in understanding of the scientific, environmental, and social factors that influence cancer disparities but wanted to have more opportunities to connect learning to action. Research Scholars specifically reported that engagement with community led them to begin to think differently about their work. To fully address cancer disparities, biomedical researchers and community members must collectively address issues of mistrust and misunderstanding. This can be achieved by increased understanding and empathy, shared vocabulary, and opportunities to explore different ways to partner. Our curriculum provides opportunity and guidance to build authentic collaboration, increase understanding, and engage in low-risk program exploration.

Citation Format: Tobi A. Cawthra, Laura Pinsoneault, Kristen Gardner-Volle, Jessica Olson, Alexis Krause, Deborah Thomas, Melinda Stolley, Carol Williams. First year results of a cancer disparities curriculum to address mistrust and misunderstanding between basic science researchers and community members [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B065.