Community Discussions for Coronavirus Trust

Overseen By Brynn E Sheehan, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Old Dominion University

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether community-led group discussions can change beliefs and intentions about healthcare recommendations, such as COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Participants in the experimental group will join weekly discussions on health topics, while the control group will complete surveys only. Ideal candidates for this trial are residents of specific housing authority areas who are comfortable with Zoom meetings and online surveys.

As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how community engagement can impact health decisions.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that community-led discussions are safe?

Research shows that community-led discussions provide a safe way to discuss health topics. Studies have found that these discussions can enhance understanding of health issues and positively change attitudes without causing harm. No reports indicate negative effects from participating in these discussions. This method has been successfully used in many places to help people learn and make informed health choices. Therefore, participants can feel confident about the safety of joining a community discussion as part of this study. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about community-led discussions as a treatment for coronavirus trust because they tap into the power of social interaction and communication, rather than traditional medical interventions. Unlike standard treatments, which often rely on medication or vaccines, this approach focuses on building trust and understanding through conversation. By encouraging small group discussions on health topics, it aims to improve public health outcomes by fostering informed communities. This method could lead to increased vaccine uptake and better adherence to health guidelines, which are crucial in managing the spread of the virus.

What evidence suggests that community-led discussions are effective for altering beliefs and intentions regarding healthcare recommendations?

Research shows that community discussions about COVID-19 can change how people think and act. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will engage in weekly community-led small group discussions on health-related topics. Studies have found that involving communities in health discussions helps people better understand and trust health advice. For example, these talks have increased COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates. One study found that community involvement improved communication about risks and helped reduce virus spread. This evidence suggests that community-led discussions positively impact public health during pandemics. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kelli J England, PhD

Principal Investigator

Old Dominion University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who live in one of the nine specified housing authority areas. Participants must be willing to join Zoom meetings and complete online assessments at the start, after three months, and six months. They also need to be able to read, speak, and understand English.

Inclusion Criteria

Resident of one of the 9 housing authority agencies

Ability to read, speak, and understand English

I am willing to join Zoom meetings and do online assessments as required.

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in weekly community-led small group discussions about health-related topics

12 weeks

12 virtual visits

Survey and Testing

Participants complete online surveys and self-administer COVID-19 tests at specified time points

6 months

3 virtual survey completions

Feedback Session

Intervention group participants attend an online feedback session about their experiences

1 session

1 virtual visit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in beliefs and intentions regarding healthcare recommendations

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Community-led discussion

Trial Overview The study is testing whether community-led discussions can change people's beliefs and intentions about following healthcare advice like getting COVID-19 tests or vaccines.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants engage in weekly community-led small group discussions about health-related topics and answer surveys at 0, 3, and 6 months time points

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

non-intervention control (participants complete surveys only)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Old Dominion University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

25

Recruited

15,500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A symposium with 31 healthcare professionals highlighted that preventing adverse events in community care requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy changes at various levels, including system integration and improved communication among providers.

Key recommendations from the symposium include prioritizing education for clinicians and caregivers, enhancing organizational culture, and leveraging technology to improve patient safety and reduce adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in community care: implications for practice, policy and research. Masotti, P., Green, M., McColl, MA.[2019]

The study revealed that adverse drug event (ADE) reporting is low among consumers and community pharmacists in Thailand, highlighting a need for improved awareness and motivation to report these events.

Key factors influencing ADE reporting included awareness and attitude towards reporting, complications in the reporting process, and the need for better feedback and training for pharmacists, suggesting that targeted interventions could enhance reporting rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumers' adverse drug event reporting via community pharmacists: three stakeholder perception. Kitisopee, T., Assanee, J., Sorofman, BA., et al.[2022]

A systematic review of 18 studies, including 16 randomized controlled trials, evaluated the effects of peer-led supportive interventions for cancer patients, focusing on various outcomes like emotional health and quality of life.

The results indicate a need for more rigorous, theory-based evaluations to confirm the effectiveness of these peer-led interventions in cancer care, suggesting that while promising, further research is necessary.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Peer-Led Interventions for Patients With Cancer: A Meta-Analysis Lee, MK., Suh, SR.[2019]

Peer facilitators in the EPEC program gained valuable knowledge and skills through their own parenting experiences, formal training, and peer support, leading to positive changes in their families and increased confidence.

The effectiveness and sustainability of peer-led interventions like EPEC depend on providing comprehensive support for peer leaders, including training, supervision, and logistical assistance, to help them manage the emotional and practical challenges of their roles.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

From parent to 'peer facilitator': a qualitative study of a peer-led parenting programme. Thomson, S., Michelson, D., Day, C.[2016]

Social media discussions about adverse events (AEs) are increasing, but traditional data sources like the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) show a greater increase in frequency, indicating that while social media can provide insights, it may not fully replace established pharmacovigilance methods.

The study found that linking posts from the same authors on social media resulted in higher quality medical insights, and actively engaging patients for follow-up information yielded a high response rate, suggesting that social media can enhance the depth of pharmacovigilance data.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engaging Patients via Online Healthcare Fora: Three Pharmacovigilance Use Cases. Powell, G., Kara, V., Painter, JL., et al.[2022]

A community-engaged research partnership in Southeast Minnesota effectively reached nearly 10,000 individuals to promote COVID-19 prevention and testing through a risk communication framework.

The use of 24 Communication Leaders who delivered messages in 6 languages across multiple platforms highlights the importance of tailored communication strategies in engaging vulnerable populations during a health crisis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Leveraging community engaged research partnerships for crisis and emergency risk communication to vulnerable populations in the COVID-19 pandemic. Wieland, ML., Asiedu, GB., Lantz, K., et al.[2021]

The themed issue highlights the importance of effective COVID-19 messaging and community reactions, which are crucial for successful community mitigation efforts against the virus.

The articles included provide diverse methodologies and insights that can help improve public health strategies, emphasizing the need for tailored communication and understanding community-specific challenges in pandemic response.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community mitigation of COVID-19: Health communications and varied community reactions. Meleo-Erwin, ZC., Basch, CH.[2021]

A community-engaged risk communication intervention in Southeast Minnesota effectively addressed COVID-19 prevention and disparities, showing high acceptability and feasibility among rural African American populations in Mississippi, reaching over 8,482 individuals in just three months.

The intervention demonstrated strong perceived scalability, indicating that it can be adapted and implemented in various communities to help reduce health inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic and potentially in future public health crises.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation of a bidirectional crisis and emergency risk communication framework by community-engaged research partnerships in rural Mississippi during the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington, R., Weis, JA., Monger, M., et al.[2023]

The COVID-19 Conversations program, developed by Northwell Health, effectively used virtual platforms like Zoom and Facebook Live to provide timely health education and resources to communities of color disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

This program demonstrated the importance of interprofessional collaboration in public health, emphasizing culturally relevant education and outreach to address the mental, physical, and psychosocial needs of community members during the pandemic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

COVID-19 Conversations Within Black/Brown Minority Communities: A Stakeholder and Psychoeducation Approach Using Zoom/Facebook Live. Williams, MS., Myers, AK., Patel, VH., et al.[2022]

A survey of 940 Somali adults in Minnesota revealed that only 23% had been asked for their input on COVID-19, highlighting a significant gap in community engagement regarding health issues.

Preferred methods for community engagement included phone calls, text messages, and socially distanced in-person meetings, with top research priorities identified as care for Somali COVID-19 patients, prevention strategies, and experiences of racism in healthcare.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community voices for health: developing methods of engagement in Somali immigrant communities in the era of COVID-19. Pratt, R., Mohamed, S., Van Keulen, M., et al.[2023]

The community dialogue and sensitization (CDS) program in eastern Uganda led to a 20% increase in knowledge about adverse drug events (ADE) among community members, significantly improving awareness, especially among those with little education and young people.

There was a remarkable 115% increase in the recognition and reporting of ADEs after the CDS program, indicating that community engagement can effectively empower patients to report potential drug-related harms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of community dialogues and sensitization on patient reporting of adverse events in rural Uganda: Uncontrolled before-after study. Ndagije, HB., Manirakiza, L., Kajungu, D., et al.[2020]

Nationwide Children's Hospital implemented medication huddles after adverse drug events (ADEs), leading to a remarkable 74% reduction in ADEs over three years and an 85% decrease in ADEs per 1,000 dispensed doses.

The success of the huddles is attributed to fostering a safety culture that encourages error reporting, and the process has expanded from critical care units to all areas of the hospital, including the emergency department.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Medication huddles slash adverse drug events (ADE), promote safety culture across all hospital units, including the ED. [2014]

Peer-led mutual support groups can be effective for veterans, especially when participants transition from clinician-led groups, as seen in a successful case at a Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The success of these groups may also depend on prior experiences in interpersonal process groups, which can enhance skills and cohesion among participants, facilitating a smoother shift to peer support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lessons learned from two peer-led mutual support groups. Viverito, KM., Cardin, SA., Johnson, LA., et al.[2019]

This study is testing a peer-led telephone support intervention for adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, comparing support from a Diabetes Specialist Nurse to support from a peer living with diabetes, with a total of 375 participants involved.

The primary goal is to improve self-efficacy in diabetes management, with secondary outcomes including blood sugar levels and overall health metrics, suggesting that such interventions could enhance patient experience and clinical outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Telecare motivational interviewing for diabetes patient education and support: a randomised controlled trial based in primary care comparing nurse and peer supporter delivery. Dale, J., Caramlau, I., Docherty, A., et al.[2023]

The Community of Practice method effectively engages marginalized populations in patient-outcomes research, leading to valuable contributions such as smartphone applications and peer support programs.

Involving peer support specialists with lived experiences in mental health research has resulted in significant outputs, including 30 peer-reviewed publications and various tools to improve patient-research partnerships.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Peer and Non-Peer Academic Scientists and Peer Support Specialist Community of Practice: Stakeholder Engagement to Advance the Science of Peer Support. Fortuna, K., Mbao, M., Kadakia, A., et al.[2022]

Citations

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Evaluating community engagement strategies in COVID-19 This study emphasizes the importance of community-based interventions in addressing the consequences of COVID-19 with high population coverage.

2. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)02575-2/fulltext

Community pandemic response: the importance of action ... Community-led and government-led efforts are synergistic, and both are indispensable parts of preparedness. When the next virus hits, community ...

3. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/16549716.2025.2485523

Full article: Community engagement to support public health This paper provides much-needed evaluation knowledge on relational community engagement initiatives and their impact on COVID-19-related attitudes and practices ...

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Community engagement for COVID-19 prevention and ... Community engagement helps to improve risk communication on COVID-19. Community supervision groups are effective in reducing the rate of COVID-19 transmission.

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1096246/full

Developing a peer-led intervention to promote COVID-19 ... In this paper, we describe how academic and community partners in the Housing Collaborative came together to do this work with a focus on COVID-19 testing.

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Community Engagement in Long Covid Research: Process ... In this paper, we (1) describe our process undertaking a community‐engaged Long Covid research study; (2) evaluate our community‐engaged ...

7. outreach-international.org outreach-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Outreach_International-COVID-Report-Interactive.pdf

COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT DURING COVID-19: 9 Since the start of the pandemic, many CBOs have been identifying COVID-19 as their communities' most-pressing concern, prioritizing challenges around food ...

8. gh.bmj.com gh.bmj.com/content/5/10/e003188

Community engagement for COVID-19 prevention and ... A rapid evidence review was conducted to identify how community engagement is used for infectious disease prevention and control during epidemics.