1. Developing Research and Community Literacies to Recruit Latino Researchers and Practitioners to Address Health Disparities
- Author
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Melissa Colón, Milagros C. Rosal, Mayara Fontes, Sarah Rustan, Ivettte Cruz, Jeroan J. Allison, Maria Idalí Torres, and Phillip Granberry
- Subjects
Medical education ,030505 public health ,Health (social science) ,Sociology and Political Science ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Community resident ,Health equity ,Learning-by-doing (economics) ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Anthropology ,Ethnography ,ComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATION ,Field research ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Sociology ,0305 other medical science ,Quality of Life Research - Abstract
Engaging community residents and undergraduate Latino students in developing research and community literacies can expose both groups to resources needed to address health disparities. The bidirectional learning process described in this article developed these literacies through an ethnographic mapping fieldwork activity that used a learning-by-doing method in combination with reflection on the research experience. The active efforts of research team members to promote reflection on the research activities were integral for developing research and community literacies. Our findings suggest that, through participating in this field research activity, undergraduate students and community residents developed a better understanding of resources for addressing health disparities. Our research approach assisted community residents and undergraduate students by demystifying research, translating scientific and community knowledge, providing exposure to multiple literacies, and generating increased awareness of research as a tool for change among community residents and their organizations. The commitment of the community and university leadership to this pedagogical method can bring out the full potential of mentoring, both to contribute to the development of the next generation of Latino researchers and to assist community members in their efforts to address health disparities.
- Published
- 2015
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