May be this can be differ from site to site but for my site although we have built a good relationship with our study communities and various stakeholders i still feel it would be a surprise to our stakeholders not to involve them at formative research.
I strongly feel that it is extremely important to involve stakeholders no matter how much you are known in the community. You may not involve all stakeholders but select some who may be vital at this stage.
I feel it is wrong to exclude stakeholders just because you feel that you are now known in the community, and you have known the community as this may make stakeholders to react or you may miss important issues and make your work difficult.
It is very important to involve stakeholders at any stage of the study for mutual understanding and easy follow on trial issues.
Thank you
Isaac
