Table 2 Feedback from Community Advisors on Research Design and Strategies (CARDS) a
Topic | Comments/Suggestions | How the research team adapted the suggestions |
|---|---|---|
Peer buddy recruitment flyer | The title does not grab attention; CARDS noted they did not immediately understand participation was needed in the study | Clearly state that this is a research opportunity specifically for African Americans |
Excessive wording | Trimmed down wording | |
Clarify that participants can be on insulin | Re-specified the inclusion criteria to include those on oral medicines or insulin | |
How many sessions and how long is each? How many total hours and weeks will this project require? | Included more detailed information about the sessions | |
Emphasize that the first two sessions are educational– may be appealing to some | Renamed the pharmacist and dietician sessions to include the word “education” | |
Pay policy for peer ambassadors | Clearly specify pay policy if peer ambassadors miss study activities or arrive late/leave early | Included information about maximum earning amount and absence/late arrival/early leaving policy |
Peer ambassador job description | What is “ethics training”? Several CARDS expressed confusion (“Teaching me how to be an ethical person? An ethical African American?”) | Clarified ethics training description and why it was a requirement for the peer ambassador |
Ethics training for peer ambassadors | Can it be called a “certification”? (“I get training and a certificate that I could use elsewhere.”) | Created a certificate and provided it to those who completed the ethics training |
Title of peer participants | Some CARDS members preferred the title ‘peer buddy’. Some CARD members felt that “peer ambassador” was formal and off-putting, but other community advisors thought it sounded very “official” and liked it. | Retained “peer ambassador” name as advised. Peer buddy was retained for use in describing participants with medication adherence challenges. |
Program location | Several CARDS members were concerned about location, especially if sessions were at rush hour | Confirmed with peer ambassadors that location and timing of meetings were convenient. |