Pilot Studies in a Community-Academic Learning Enterprise

• Activity Number: 49
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Sunday, July 29, 2012 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
• Sponsor: Statistics in Mental Health Research
• Author(s): Kenneth Wells*+ and Loretta Jones and Thomas R. Belin
• Companies: University of California at Los Angeles and HAAF and University of California at Los Angeles
• Keywords: partnership ; community ; partnered research

Abstract

We review the uses of pilots within an NIMH Center for partnered research to develop and evaluate interventions to reduce the burden of mental illness in under-resourced communities. The Center has a focus on conducting research in all phases in equal partnership with community-based organizations and members through two-way knowledge exchange. Pilots serve multiple purposes, including building relationships and trust, framing intervention goals, determining fit with the community, and redirecting evaluations to best balance scientific rigor and community benefit. These activities are characteristic of pilot and main projects; and the focus on community benefit requires commitment across phases such that boundaries are fluid between pilots and main studies even if discretely funded. Main studies also include pilots to respond to innovation and explore future solutions. This philosophy reflects a community learning perspective.