Journal Article

Supporting peer researchers: recommendations from our lived experience/expertise in community-based research in Canada

Watson, James R., Tavares, James, Ibáñez-Carrasco, Francisco

2019

Overview

Community-based research in HIV in Canada is a complex undertaking. Including peer researchers living with HIV meaningfully is intricate and costly. However, this inclusion guarantees results that translate to community action, policy-making, and public awareness. Including HIV+ peer researchers expedites the path from research to intervention. However, we must constantly review our support in light of three implicit tasks performed by peer researchers: constant disclosure, emotional labor, and advocating for meaningful participation. Our team offers four pillars of support to reduce harm and strengthen the self-determination, confidence, advocacy, and impact for HIV+ peer researchers. The provision of emotional, instrumental, educational, and cultural/spiritual support might seldom be standardized within a study, but to successfully engage in community-based research, study teams must articulate what support can be offered in each area.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome / Advocacy / AIDS / Best practices / Best practices for support / Commentary / Community action / Community-based research / Compensation / Disclosure of information / Emotions / Handicapped accessibility / Harm reduction / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Health Psychology / HIV / HIV patients / Human immunodeficiency virus / Lived experience of HIV / Management / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Peer researchers / Peer review / Peers / Public awareness / Public health / Researchers / Role models / Sexually transmitted disease research / Social aspects / Social Policy / Social Work / Stigma / The Involvement and Engagement of Peers in Research