304 Exploring best practices for lay dissemination of research study results: Community-driven insights

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: • To examine current barriers to research translation that collide with funder imperatives to share research results broadly. • To create community-driven guidance on broadening dissemination of research findings to communities to enhance health literacy and trustworthiness in the research process. Methods/Study Population: The Penn State Community Health Equity & Engagement in Research team, part of our Clinical and Translational Science Institute, completed six semi-structured focus groups in the Fall of 2023 (N = 46, including geographically diverse communities with and without research experience). Focus groups included presentation of evidence-based and novel approaches to lay results dissemination, including lay briefs and data walks, to elucidate experiences with and preferences for receiving research study results. Qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA software, with successful (>0.70) kappa coefficient achieved for interrater reliability. Codes and themes were developed inductively. Results/Anticipated Results: Focus group characteristics included N = 39 identifying as women, with a mean age of 56 years old and 10% identifying as Black/African American. Geographic breakdown included 49% rural, 44% suburban, and 7% urban. Thematic analyses demonstrated a perceived lack of trustworthiness and representation in the research process, with several cultural and geographic barriers to research accessibility and results dissemination. The majority of participants did not receive research results from prior studies and identified the importance of trusted community messengers to share findings broadly. Participants prefer receiving lay briefs, with health literate infographics, over published study manuscripts. Data walks featuring key findings presented by researchers within communities were highly desired. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Improving translation of study results in underrepresented communities is a catalyst for increasing engagement, demonstrating trustworthiness, and improving health literacy. The development of evidence-based lay dissemination methodologies can increase translation and bolster efforts to support informed, research-ready communities.