@article{552a33e499054b8a9b3b74c17dd2b65f,
title = "Application of community-engaged research to inform the development and implementation of a peer-delivered mobile health intervention for adults with serious mental illness",
abstract = "Background: Involving certified peer specialists in all phases of intervention development and research is a high priority to advance peer-delivered services. Certified peer specialists are individuals with a lived experience of a mental illness, and they are trained and accredited to provide Medicaid reimbursable mental health services. Community-engaged research can facilitate the development and implementation of peer-delivered interventions; however, little is known about the processes. We present our application of community-engaged research to inform the development and implementation of a peer-delivered mobile health (mHealth) intervention for adults with serious mental illness. Objective: The aim of this study was to present a framework that can be used as a guide for researchers and certified peer specialists to develop and implement peer-delivered mHealth interventions in community settings. Methods: Informed by principles of community-engaged research, we developed the Academic Researchers-Certified Peer Specialists mHealth Research Continuum. Principles of community-engaged research included in the Continuum include the following: (1) develop a clear understanding of the purpose, goal, and population involved in community change; (2) become knowledgeable about all aspects of the community; (3) interact and establish relationships with the community; (4) encourage community self-determination; (5) partner with the community; (6) respect community diversity and culture; (7) activate community assets and develop capacity; (8) maintain flexibility; and (9) commit to long-term collaboration. Results: Overall, 4 certified peer specialists participated in all phases of intervention development and research. Individuals who participated in the Academic Researchers-Certified Peer Specialists{\textquoteright} mHealth Research Continuum collaborated on 5 studies advancing peers{\textquoteright} roles in services delivery using mHealth and secured grant funding from a foundation to sustain their study. The Academic Researchers-Certified Peer Specialists{\textquoteright} mHealth Research Continuum has created a rare environment of inclusion by combining scientific expertise and certified peer specialists{\textquoteright} expertise to achieve a shared vision. Conclusions: This study delineates a process by which academic researchers and certified peer specialists participated in community-engaged research to develop and implement peer-delivered mHealth interventions in community settings.",
keywords = "Consumer advocacy, Mental health, Mobile health, Patient participation, Stakeholder participation",
author = "Karen Fortuna and Paul Barr and Carly Goldstein and Robert Walker and Brewer, {La Princess} and Alexandra Zagaria and Stephen Bartels",
note = "Funding Information: Results: Overall, 4 certified peer specialists participated in all phases of intervention development and research. Individuals who participated in the Academic Researchers-Certified Peer Specialists{\textquoteright} mHealth Research Continuum collaborated on 5 studies advancing peers{\textquoteright} roles in services delivery using mHealth and secured grant funding from a foundation to sustain their study. The Academic Researchers-Certified Peer Specialists{\textquoteright} mHealth Research Continuum has created a rare environment of inclusion by combining scientific expertise and certified peer specialists{\textquoteright} expertise to achieve a shared vision. Conclusions: This study delineates a process by which academic researchers and certified peer specialists participated in community-engaged research to develop and implement peer-delivered mHealth interventions in community settings. Funding Information: Individuals in the academic researchers-certified peer specialist mHealth research group have collaborated on 5 studies over 1 year to advance the role of peers in services delivery using mHealth. We anticipate this group to be long-term as it has secured grant funding from a private foundation to sustain their study. Consistent with principles of community engagement, this approach to community-engaged research has created a rare environment of inclusion through the combination of scientific expertise and certified peer specialists{\textquoteright} expertise (see the Academic Researchers-Certified Peer Specialists mHealth Research Continuum in Multimedia Appendix 1). Funding Information: KF{\textquoteright}s funding was received from the National Institutes of Mental Health (T32 MH073553-11) and the Brain and Behavior Foundation Early Career Investigator NARSAD award. CG is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (K23 HL136845). LB is supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and the Center for Translational Science Activities (grant number KL2 TR002379), a component of National Institutes of Health (NIH). The views expressed in this study are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the NIH. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright}Karen Fortuna, Paul Barr, Carly Goldstein, Robert Walker, LaPrincess Brewer, Alexandra Zagaria, Stephen Bartels.",
year = "2019",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "10.2196/12380",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "11",
journal = "Journal of Participatory Medicine",
issn = "2152-7202",
publisher = "JMIR Publications Inc.",
number = "1",
}