Exploring group dynamics for integrating scientific and experiential knowledge in Community Advisory Boards for HIV research

Abstract

To demonstrate how Community Advisory Boards (CABs) can best integrate community perspectives with scientific knowledge and involve community in disseminating HIV knowledge, this paper provides a case study exploring the structure and dynamic process of a “Community Collaborative Board” (CCB). We use the term CCB to emphasize collaboration over advisement. The CCB membership, structure, and dynamics are informed by theory and research. The CCB is affiliated with Columbia University School of Social Work and its original membership included 30 members. CCB was built using six systematized steps meant to engage members in procedural and substantive research roles: (1) engaging membership; (2) developing relationships; (3) exchanging information; (4) negotiation and decision-making; (5) retaining membership; and (6) studying dynamic process. This model requires that all meetings be audio-taped to capture CCB dynamics. Using transcribed meeting data, we have identified group dynamics that help the CCB accomplish its objectives: (1) dialectic process helps exchange of information; (2) mutual support helps members work together despite social and professional differences; and (3) problem solving helps members achieve consensus. These dynamics also help members attain knowledge about HIV treatment and prevention and disseminate HIV-related knowledge. CABs can be purposeful in their use of group dynamics, narrow the knowledge gap between researchers and community partners, prepare members for procedural and substantive research roles, and retain community partners.

Keywords:

• Community-based Participatory Research
• Community Advisory Boards
• group dynamics
• HIV research

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all members of the Community Collaborative Board (CCB) who participated in this study, who graciously took time from their very busy schedules to help advance knowledge about collaborative research. We acknowledge the outstanding feedback we received on earlier drafts of this paper by Liliane C. Windsor, Doug Warn, Juan David Gastolomendo, Kim Burke, and Fatima Hafiz-Wahid.

The CCB is supported by a grant from Columbia University Diversity Program Research Fellowship (Principal Investigator: Rogério M. Pinto, Ph.D.).

Dr Pinto wrote this manuscript supported by a National Institute of Mental Health Mentored Research Development Award (K01MH081787-02).

When this manuscript was written, Dr Valera was a postdoctoral fellow supported by a training grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH19139, Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection; Principal Investigator: Anke A. Ehrhardt, Ph.D.) at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies (P30 MH43520; Center Director: Anke A. Ehrhardt, Ph.D.).