1) Discuss the link between formative research and community engagement for a trial. How are they alike? What are some differences between the two?
Formative research is helping to identify key stakeholders and help researchers gain understanding of the community – key concerns, fears, belief, cultural/social practices and previous experience with research. As for the difference, I think the key difference is that community engagement is more ongoing and takes place over the course of and even after a trial ends, whereas formative research is conducted before a trial begins.
2) Has your site conducted formative research activities? How have you involved community stakeholders in formative research activities at your trial site? If not, how could you potentially involve them?
TRC-ARC conducted formative research activities by established the CAB in 2006 in accordance with the Good Participatory Practice (GPP) guidelines. These mechanisms include the TRC-ARC CAB, community forums and workshops, individual stakeholder meetings, focus group discussions, and informal continuous dialogue with stakeholders. The TRC-ARC research team, in consultation with its CAB members, identifies relevant community stakeholders for each study and related interesting services at The Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic. The TRC-ARC CAB have mechanism to support community participation in the HIV trial and interesting services at The Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic and TRC-ARC.
Yes, I have. I think that it was Formative research informally. Before trial start, we have meeting with staff and CAB for identify stakeholders. After that we have meeting with each stakeholder, GOs, NGOs and representative from MOPH, Hospitals for introduce study and interview them about how do they feel, concern and etc. We receive many important things and useful for revise strategy of staff including recruitment, clinic procedure, safety concern.
