Identifying ‘hard-to-reach’ groups and strategies to engage them in biomedical research: perspectives from engagement practitioners in South East Asia
Based on:
Journal Article (2019)
Research on why some groups are harder to reach – an outcome to a 2 day workshop with 38 engagement practitioners working in SE Asia (36 SE Asian nationals).
Brief by:
Research collaborators:
While public engagement is an increasingly important component in public health programmes and biomedical research, the public health interventions are limited in focus – currently these ‘public’ activities tend to reach a ‘convenient sample’ and thus miss out on a number of ‘hard-to-reach’ populations. The less socially visible groups, therefore, may have to be sacrificed for the need of maximised efficiency of public engagement interventions. But failure to engage the disadvantaged groups may result in a generalisation of the evidence of effective strategies used with the advantaged groups.
Key findings
Corresponding with published literature, economic disadvantage was also reported in our workshop as one of the most important barriers to engagement with research and health care.
All three discussion groups emphasized that the mobility in residence and workplace of these hard-to-reach populations is a significant challenge for local authorities and any social organizations wishing to monitor or engage with them.
Differences in culture, language and lifestyles of the hard-to-reach groups often create barriers against their participation in mainstream interventions and biomedical research.
This is a particular issue in the urban poor and ethnic communities.
Proposed action
Each hard to reach group has its own context, so programmes cannot be taken from other situations, they must be tailor made from formative research to understand the context
Local staff and agencies are an important factor in smoothing interactions and promoting participation with the communities as they are familiar with and have the trust of local people
Public engagement projects in public health and biomedical research must be sensitive of challenges faced by marginalised communities, and implemented collaboratively with these groups
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to ASEAN
These insights were made available thanks to the support of ASEAN, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Ben Levett for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Ben Levett, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Identifying ‘hard-to-reach’ groups and strategies to engage them in biomedical research: perspectives from engagement practitioners in South East Asia
Cite this brief: Chambers, Mary. 'Identifying ‘hard-to-reach’ groups and strategies to engage them in biomedical research: perspectives from engagement practitioners in South East Asia'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/identifying-hard-to-reach-groups-and-strategies-to-engage-them-in-biomedical-research-perspectives-from-engagement-practitioners-in-south-east-asia/
Brief created by: Dr Mary Chambers | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- P. Y. C., Chambers, M., & H. N. T., ‘Identifying ‘hard-to-reach’ groups and strategies to engage them in biomedical research: perspectives from engagement practitioners in South East Asia’ 4(102) (pp. 2–12) https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15326.1. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6823897/
Research brief:
Research on why some groups are harder to reach – an outcome to a 2 day workshop with 38 engagement practitioners working in SE Asia (36 SE Asian nationals).
While public engagement is an increasingly important component in public health programmes and biomedical research, the public health interventions are limited in focus – currently these ‘public’ activities tend to reach a ‘convenient sample’ and thus miss out on a number of ‘hard-to-reach’ populations. The less socially visible groups, therefore, may have to be sacrificed for the need of maximised efficiency of public engagement interventions. But failure to engage the disadvantaged groups may result in a generalisation of the evidence of effective strategies used with the advantaged groups.
Findings:
Corresponding with published literature, economic disadvantage was also reported in our workshop as one of the most important barriers to engagement with research and health care.
All three discussion groups emphasized that the mobility in residence and workplace of these hard-to-reach populations is a significant challenge for local authorities and any social organizations wishing to monitor or engage with them.
Differences in culture, language and lifestyles of the hard-to-reach groups often create barriers against their participation in mainstream interventions and biomedical research.
This is a particular issue in the urban poor and ethnic communities.
Advice:
Each hard to reach group has its own context, so programmes cannot be taken from other situations, they must be tailor made from formative research to understand the context
Local staff and agencies are an important factor in smoothing interactions and promoting participation with the communities as they are familiar with and have the trust of local people
- For the urban poor, we can cooperate with local social and non-profit organizations. In Thailand, there are many community-based organisations that have long-established work with the street communities while in Vietnam urban areas, there are voluntary groups who organizing support classes and charitable activities for homeless or disadvantaged children. For ethnic minorities, local gatekeepers such as village and religious leaders, elders, or representatives from local administration groups like Youth Union staff or a Women’s Union officer can be very helpful in encouraging participation.
Public engagement projects in public health and biomedical research must be sensitive of challenges faced by marginalised communities, and implemented collaboratively with these groups