Empowering Community Voices: Research Team Leads Impactful GPP Training for Advisory Boards

Recently, the Adelaide Tambo Boardroom was abuzz with energy as the Research Team hosted a dynamic and impactful Good Participatory Practice (GPP) training session for Community Advisory Boards (CABs). This collaborative event brought together members from the Clinical HIV Research Unit (CHRU) and the Wits RHI CABs, offering a thoughtfully designed programme aimed at empowering participants to strengthen their roles in promoting community engagement within the realm of clinical research.

The training session was both interactive and educational, providing CAB members with valuable tools and resources to improve site operations, uphold ethical research practices, and foster transparent, community-driven feedback mechanisms. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions and skill-building exercises designed to enhance their ability to advocate for and represent the needs of their communities in clinical research.

The programme covered a range of important topics, including the development of stakeholder engagement plans, the promotion of ethical standards in research, and the role of CABs in ensuring community perspectives are heard throughout the research process. Participants also explored strategies to meet the specific needs of their communities through formative research. A key focus was the development of HIV prevention standards, protocol development, informed consent processes, and the management of non-HIV-related risks. Additionally, discussions emphasized the importance of ensuring continued access to treatment and support after clinical trials conclude, reinforcing the connection between research and community health.

The training not only enhanced the individual capabilities of CAB members but also underscored the vital role of community involvement in shaping clinical research. It strengthened the essential link between research initiatives and the communities they aim to serve, ensuring that future studies are conducted with greater community input, transparency, and accountability.

This event exemplified the ongoing commitment of Wits RHI to building a robust, community-focused approach to clinical research and highlighted the critical importance of Good Participatory Practice in advancing the effectiveness and ethical integrity of health studies.

Captured in the images:  Wits RHI and CHRU CAB members actively discussing strategies for impactful community engagement during the GPP training session.