A Community-based Participatory Research Approach to the Development of a Peer Navigator Health Promotion Intervention for People with Spinal Cord Injury

Disabil Health J, 2014 · DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2014.04.006 · Published: October 1, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Public Health

Simple Explanation

This study used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to develop and test a Peer Navigator intervention for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). CBPR involves community members as equal partners in the research process. The intervention uses community-based Peer Navigators with SCI to provide health education and support to individuals with SCI, aiming to reduce preventable secondary conditions, rehospitalizations, and improve community participation. The research partnership involved academic researchers and a community-based team of individuals with SCI or who provide SCI-related services. The study describes the processes of partnership formation, problem identification, intervention development, and pilot testing.

Study Duration

7 Years

Participants

73 SCI participants in needs assessment, 4 in proof of concept, 20 in pilot randomized trial

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The SCI Peer Navigator intervention addresses the partnership’s priority issues identified in formative studies.
2
Utilization of the CBPR framework and integration of its principles into all research phases promoted partnership sustainability.
3
Proactive planning for challenges common in CBPR, such as sharing power and limited resources, helped sustain the partnership.

Research Summary

This paper describes a CBPR approach to intervention research using community-based Peer Navigators with SCI to provide health education and support. The seven-year research partnership involved several processes including partnership formation, problem identification, intervention development, and pilot testing. The study also discusses the challenges encountered and addressed during the CBPR process, such as balancing power and managing resources.

Practical Implications

Reduced Secondary Conditions

The Peer Navigator intervention aims to reduce preventable secondary conditions such as UTIs and pressure ulcers.

Improved Community Participation

The intervention seeks to improve the community participation of individuals with SCI.

Empowerment through Partnership

The CBPR approach empowers people with disabilities by including them as meaningful research partners.

Study Limitations

1
Potential lack of representation of the broader SCI community in South Carolina on the Task Force.
2
Reliance on SCSCIA membership roster for recruitment may have sampled individuals who had the means to engage a community resource.
3
Financial constraints limited direct compensation to community partners initially.

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