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1.20 Community Involvement in Research & Outreach Activities

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to describe the Organization’s involvement of the community in the research process, as well as the community outreach activities in order to enhance the public’s understanding of research, obtain feedback about any community concerns and respond to questions from prospective subjects about specific research protocols available within the Organization.

2.0 Policy

  • 2.1. It is the policy of the Organization that research be conducted which will advance knowledge for the benefit of the local community, the State of Nebraska, the United States and countries abroad from which patients come for treatment and students come to enhance their education.
  • 2.2. The Organization is committed to involving the communities the Organization serves, as well as the members of those communities, in the research process, including the design and implementation of studies, analysis of data and the dissemination of results.
  • 2.3. The Organization is committed to designing and initiating outreach activities to enhance the understanding of research by both the communities the Organization serves, as well as the member of those communities.

3.0 Procedures

  • 3.1. Involvement in Research Design, Implementation and Analysis of Research Results
    • 3.1.1. The Organization supports mechanisms that promote the involvement of members of communities the Organization serves, in the research process, including the design and implementation of research, when appropriate, and analysis of results.
    • 3.1.2. The Organization utilizes a variety of different outreach activities to educate the community about science, ongoing research, research needs and involvement of the community in opportunities to provide advice regarding the design and implementation of research.
  • 3.2. Outreach Activities for Education of the Community The Organization utilizes the following outreach activities for educational purposes, as well as the dissemination of research results:

    • 3.2.1. Omaha Science Café: The science cafes involve a face-to-face conversation between the public and scientists within the Organization about current science topics. The science cafes are held approximately six times per year at casual meeting places within the local community and out-state Nebraska. Each meeting begins with a didactic presentation, followed by a question and answer period. The science cafes are available via Podcast.

    • 3.2.2. Nebraska Science Festival: The Nebraska Science Festival is an initiative of UNMC, which continues to administer the festival with the assistance of a number of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. The Science Festival is designed to make science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults alike.

    • 3.2.3. Talks and seminars in community settings

      Faculty and administrators from the Organization give educational talks and seminars about research in local community settings (e.g. Rotary Club) and in out-state Nebraska. Results from completed research may also be presented in community forums.

    • 3.2.4. Newspaper articles about research projects Local Nebraska newspapers feature articles about research projects, which help educate and inform the community about general research topics, specific upcoming or active projects, as well as the results from completed research studies.

    • 3.2.5. Social Media

    • 3.2.6. Websites

      The following websites within the Organization are available to the public and contain information about the Organization, including material pertinent to research.

  • 3.3. UNMC/Nebraska Medicine utilizes the following educational outreach activities:

    • 3.3.1. IRB Brochure: A brochure titled “Participating in Clinical Trials” is distributed. The brochure gives a basic description of clinical trials and human subject rights. The brochure also directs the reader to the IRB website, which contains information about human subject research and links to relevant websites.

    • 3.3.2. UNMC Clinical Trials Database:The UNMC Center for Clinical and Translational Research maintains a clinical trial database where the public can find information about available clinical trials by medical area.

    • 3.3.3. Research Subject Advocate Office

      The Research Subject Advocate (RSA) Office was created in part to provide community education about processes in place to safeguard research subject safety within clinical and translational research trials and programs. The RSA Office gives presentations to community groups interested in learning more about research or who have concerns or questions about research subject safety. The RSA Office maintains a record of all RSA community outreach activities.

    • 3.3.4. "The Week”: The Marketing Department for the Nebraska Medical Center publishes “The Week” on a weekly basis which is available to the public by distribution in hard copy in public areas.

    • 3.3.5. “Ask UNMC” on KETV Channel 7

    • 3.3.6. “UNMC Discover”: The Department of Public Affairs publishes semi-annually “UNMC Discover”, focusing on research at UNMC, which is available to the public either by cumulative mailing lists or by distribution to public libraries throughout the state of Nebraska.

    • 3.3.7. “UNMC Connect”: The Department of Public Affairs publishes semi-annually “UNMC Connect”, which is available to the UNMC campus and UNMC alumni either by cumulative mailing lists or by distribution.

    • 3.3.8. Community outreach groups: The Organization has a number of outreach groups which provide the public with the opportunity to convey special needs of the community in terms of medical care and other services, which can translate into research.

  • 3.4. CHMC utilizes the following educational outreach activities:
    • 3.4.1. IRB Brochure: A brochure titled “Participating in Clinical Trials” is provided to CHMC for distribution. The brochure gives a basic description of clinical trials and human subject rights. The brochure also directs the reader to the IRB website, which contains information about human subject research and links to relevant websites.
    • 3.4.2. “The Hero”: The Marketing Department at CHMC publishes “The Hero” on a weekly basis, which is available to the employees of CHMC and the public in hard copy via distribution to public areas.
    • 3.4.3. “Just Kids”: The Marketing Department at CHMC mails “Just KIDS” on a quarterly basis to targeted zip codes in the Omaha metropolitan area.
  • 3.5. Evaluation of Outreach Activities The ORA, in conjunction with the IO, the Executive Chair of the IRB, the RSA and UNMC Public Affairs, performs an ongoing evaluation of community outreach activities in order to identify the needs of the community and any concerns.

ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL: BRUCE G. GORDON, MD IRB EXECUTIVE CHAIR & ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR FOR REGULATORY AFFAIRS CHRISTOPHER KRATOCHVIL, MD INSTITUTIONAL OFFICIAL

POLICY AMENDED:

 REVISED FEBRUARY 12, 2018

 INITIAL APRIL 14, 2016

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