Table 1 CHICO: The CHecklist for Inclusive COmmunity involvement in health research
What the groups say | What this means for researchers |
|---|---|
Step 1: relationships | |
Group interest | Work with community leaders to gauge interest/relevance of topics before meeting |
Understand our community | Work with community leaders to understand the needs of the group before meeting |
Work with us in a way that suits us | Be flexible and informal and follow the lead of the community leader / group on format Bear in mind that a format that works for one group may not work for another |
Build trust and relationships / get to know each other | Is there a key person who can work with the group? Take time to build relationships |
Come back and see us | Have you factored in regular meetings to maintain the relationship with the group? Have you considered additional visits when you have no need for input? |
Keep us in the loop | Have you planned to update the group on progress and outcomes of research? Show the group how they’ve made a difference |
Step 2: reciprocal relationship | |
Say thank you/our time is valuable | How can you say thank you? Agree with community leaders the best way to give back to the group |
Give us the information we need/want | Have you considered ways to give added value? For example, organise visits from doctors/experts to discuss health issues important to the group |
We are the experts | Listen to and acknowledge expertise—they are the experts in their own experience of healthcare provision |
Step 3: practicalities | |
Come to us | Are you meeting with the community groups at their usual time, day and location? |
Use our language | Where applicable, have you asked groups which language(s) they would like the meeting to be conducted in, and how they would be most comfortable doing the translation? Pay for community leader(s)/external translator |
Help us get there | Have you considered transport needs and pay for means for people to the attend group? |
‘Food is very important’ | Are you providing/paying for culturally appropriate food Consider using existing in-house or local providers |
‘No fancy words’ | Are you using plain language? Be aware of jargon—use real life examples |
Let us enjoy our time together | Have you built in time for social time/activities? Ask the community leaders/group what they would like |