Objective: A crucial yet currently insufficient step in biomedical research is the translation of scientific, evidence-based guidelines and recommendations into constructs and language accessible to every-day patients. By building a community of solution that integrates primary care with public health and community-based organizations, evidence-based medical care can be translated into language and constructs accessible to community members and readily implemented to improve health.
Methods: Using a community-based participatory research approach, the High Plains Research Network (HPRN) and its Community Advisory Council developed a process to translate evidence into messages and dissemination methods to improve health in rural Colorado. This process, called Boot Camp Translation, has brought together various community members, organizations, and primary care practices to build a community of solution to address local health problems.
Results: The HPRN has conducted 4 Boot Camp Translations on topics including colon cancer prevention, asthma diagnosis and management, hypertension, and the patient-centered medical home. Thus far, the HPRN has used Boot Camp Translations to engage more than 1000 rural community members and providers. Dissemination of boot camp messaging through the community of solution has led to increased colon cancer screening, improved care for asthma, and increased rates of controlled blood pressure.
Conclusions: Boot Camp Translation successfully engages community members in a process to translate evidence-based medical care into locally relevant and culturally appropriate language and constructs. Boot Camp Translation is an appropriate method for engaging community members in patient-centered outcomes research and may be an appropriate first step in building a local or regional community of solution.
Keywords: Asthma; Cancer Screening; Colorectal Cancer; Community-Based Participatory Research; Practice-based Research; Rural Health.