231 Training Medical Interns and Graduate and Professional Students on Community Engaged Research: Lessons Learned from Implementing a Community Scholars Program

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: 1. Describe the development and implementation of a Community Scholars Program to train graduate and professional students on principles of community engagement and its application to their research. 2. Evaluate lessons learned and overall impact implementing a Community Scholars Program. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: After identifying a need to train scholars on the principles of community engagement, the Community Engagement Research Core’s (CERC) Community Advisory Council (CAC) developed the Community Scholars Program (CSP) in 2014. The CSP was designed to educate scholars on community engaged research and how it can be applied to their research projects. The program is currently in its ninth cohort with 19 graduate and professional students having participated in the program to date. Prospective scholars identify a community partner and faculty mentor and apply to conduct a community engaged research project over the course of an academic year. The purpose of this project is to describe the development and implementation of a CSP and identify lessons learned throughout the process. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Five lessons learned have been identified: five major lessons learned from implementing the CSP: (1) establish partnership agreements between the scholars and their community partners and faculty mentors, setting expectations to avoid conflict and increase mutual understanding; (2) expand and implement more creative outreach approaches to cultivate a more diverse pool of applicants; (3) increase networking between current and past scholars to share experiences and serve as a resource for each other; (4) provide formal CE training for scholars to develop a better understanding of the principles of CE and CE research; and (5) document progress of the program through formal feedback and evaluations. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The CSP was constructed to fill a gap in CE research training for graduate and professional scholars. Over the course of the program, the identified lessons learned have created program clarity and increased accountability for scholars, mentors, and community partners alike.