Background: Successful community-engaged research depends on the quality of the collaborative partnerships between community -members and academic researchers and may take several forms depending on the purpose which dictates the degree to which power dynamics are handled within the collaborative arrangement.Methods: To understand the power dynamics and related concepts within community-engaged research arrangements, a secondary analysis of an existing qualitative data set was undertaken. Two models of community-engaged research, a review of literature, and the applied experiences of researchers familiar with community engagement practices confirmed the power dynamics concepts used to carry out the analysis of the qualitative data set according to the principles of directed content analysis. This analysis yielded quotes on power dynamics and related issues. Tools to address the power dynamics exposed by the quotes were selected using the literature and lived experience of the researchers. Finally, to ensure trustworthiness, the selected quotes on power dynamics and the recommended tools were subjected to naturalistic treatment using peer debriefings and triangulation.Results: Analysis of existing qualitative data made clear that community-engaged research between health practitioners and communities may take several forms depending on the purpose and dictate how power dynamics, including inequities, biases, discrimination, racism, rank and privilege, are handled within the collaborative arrangement. Three tools including implicit bias training, positionality, and structural competency may be used to address power dynamics and related concepts.Conclusion: Analysis of the qualitative data set highlighted the power dynamics within different community-engaged research models and the tools that may be used to address inequitable power dynamics including implicit bias training, positionality, and structural competency.

Older adults taking multiple chronic medications experience an increased risk of adverse drug events and other medication-related problems (MRP). Most current literature on medication management involves researcher-driven intervention, yet few studies investigate patients’ understanding of MRP in a diverse community setting. This report investigates patients’ perception of MRP and patient-centered strategies among a cohort of the older adult group in a historically Black urban community. The study design is qualitative using structured open-ended questions in a multidisciplinary patient-centered focus group. Patients (age 65 years or older) taking seven or more medications were recruited. The group comprises patients, caregivers, pharmacists, health educators, a physician, and a nurse. Recordings of the group discussion are transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis and categorized by codes developed from the social-ecological model. The group reports patient-provider relationships, previous experience, fear of side effects played important roles in medication adherence. There is an unmet need for medication management education and tools to organize complex medication lists from multiple providers. This study provides important insights into MRP experienced by minority older adults and provided researchers with potential strategies for future interventions.

Community pharmacies have unparalleled potential to increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis medications (PrEP) for HIV prevention; however, only 17 out of 50 states in the United States have statewide authority for pharmacists to provide PrEP at community pharmacies. Few studies have reported on how pharmacists overcome the legislative barrier and provide PrEP services in restrictive pharmacy prescription states. The objective of this article is to identify the existing primary literature describing pharmacist PrEP services in the community in states with restrictive prescription authority. Methods: A systemic literature review was conducted to identify the primary literature that involved community pharmacy service and PrEP conducted in states that do not have expanded pharmacist prescriptive authority between 2000 to 2024. Results: Ten publications were identified, describing nine studies, including four interview and survey studies, three intervention reports, and two ongoing clinical trials. None of these studies have a control group. Most pharmacists provide PrEP services in the community through a collaborative practice agreement with a primary care provider. Conclusions: Future clinical studies with randomized controlled designs are required to test novel strategies in the education and implementation of pharmacy-led PrEP services in a community pharmacy setting to increase PrEP access.

Maternal mortality and morbidity are critical health challenges in the U.S., and building the perinatal workforce is a key to providing high-quality maternal medical care and services. Texas Southern University (TSU), home to a Doctor of Pharmacy program, launched the first Maternal Health Education and Research Training (MHERT) program to educate a cohort of high school, pharmacy, and health sciences students. Aiming to raise awareness of maternal health issues, build research skills, and promote action-based solutions. MHERT integrated online self-paced interactive lessons with hands-on research or community projects. Topics included maternal health epidemiology, causes of morbidity and mortality, research methods, literature reviews, and the development of action plans addressing maternal health challenges. Assessment tools included quizzes, open-ended reflection responses, training surveys, and course evaluations. Running from 3 June to 26 July 2024, the program enrolled 22 students. All participants completed both course components. Course evaluations showed strong and consistent satisfaction with the program, with teaching effectiveness rated at 95% and 96% for mid-program and final evaluations, respectively. MHERT enhanced participants’ understanding of maternal health, improved research skills, and encouraged community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. It offers a scalable model to strengthen public health education among high school, pharmacy, and health sciences students.

Background: Community pharmacies have unparalleled potential to increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis medications (PrEP) for HIV prevention; however, only 17 out of 50 states in the United States have statewide authority for pharmacists to provide PrEP at community pharmacies. Few studies have reported on how pharmacists overcome the legislative barrier and provide PrEP services in restrictive pharmacy prescription states. The objective of this article is to identify the existing primary literature describing pharmacist PrEP service in the community in states with restrictive prescription authority. Methods: A systemic literature review was conducted to identify primary literature that involved community pharmacy service and PrEP conducted in states that do not have expanded pharmacist prescriptive authority between 2000 and 2024. Results: Ten publications were identified describing nine studies, including four interview and survey studies, three intervention reports, and two ongoing clinical trials. None of these studies have a control group. Most pharmacists provide PrEP service in the community through a collaborative practice agreement with a primary care provider. Conclusions: Future clinical studies with randomized controlled designs are required to test novel strategies in the education and implementation of pharmacy-led PrEP services in a community pharmacy setting to increase PrEP access.

Innovation in biomedical research has increased markedly over the last few decades. However, clinical, therapeutic, and public health advances have often not yielded expected improvements in health outcomes nor reduced disparities. Translational science was developed to improve social benefits related to research and development. We propose a practical model for socially responsible translational science that aims to better align research with its expected social benefits. Scientists and community members from the Houston-Galveston region participated in 12 focus groups and a one-day Deliberative Dialogue Summit to examine the expected social benefits of science, establish the factors and practices of social responsibility, and design an empirical model for socially responsible translational science. Researchers and community members discussed three distinct fields of research – HIV, maternal health, and mental health and substance use disorders. We conducted deductive qualitative data analysis based on theoretical social responsibility criteria of translational science, namely: relevance, usability, and sustainability. We then developed inductive codes to capture the factors and practices identified during discussions as necessary for the translation of research to increase social benefit. First, participants explored ways to broaden the scope of biomedical research beyond a narrow emphasis on scientific impact to also consider social impacts and determinants of health; this heightens the relevance of research and underscores its responsibility to address social needs and reduce inequities. Second, to improve usability of translational research, participants suggested increasing access to research products, processes, and participation. They also recommended modifying the research infrastructure to incorporate other systems that can assist with translation including the system of care and the broader community-based systems. Third and finally, for the long-term sustainability of research practices, co-development and co-funding of research was promoted to include local community needs, cultures, knowledges and preferences from project commencement to completion.