Engagement discussions with Black and Asian communities to understand participation in primary care research

The Nottingham University Division of Primary Care identified that there is a shortfall in primary care research participation particularly among Black and Asian communities. Healthwatch Nottingham & Nottinghamshire received a grant from the University of Nottingham to identify three or four representatives of ethnically diverse group to engage in primary care research activities to understand why there is a shortfall in primary research participation from Black and Asian communities.

Healthwatch had discussions with four community organisations. One was from the Black community and three were from the South-Asian community. All participants in the discussions were female.

Most of the representatives who were asked this question did not understand what the term ‘primary care research’ mean, nor how to define it.

Barriers to participation they identified included not knowing about the research, concern that their voice might not make a difference, use of academic language, time constraints, mistrust,  lack of confidence, lack of financial incentive and practicalities like no or limited phone credit or data.

Things that researchers would need to put in place to encourage participation included effective communication and information sharing, effective community engagement, providing incentives.