Shared Expertise
BCT recognizes the expertise that community members and researchers bring to the table and takes advantage of sharing each person’s expertise to achieve success.Boot Camp Translation
Engaging communities to improve health
CO-CEAL and Boot Camp Translation
Boot Camp Translation (BCT), or sometimes called “Community Translation,” leverages the expertise of community members to translate dense scientific evidence and guidelines into messages, campaigns and materials that are locally relevant and conversational. In the case of CO-CEAL, BCT will focus on the creation of messages that call local community members to action on a specific topic: COVID-19 vaccination.
BCT has evolved from its beginning as an effort to include the High Plains Research Network’s Community Advisory Council in a project to increase screening rates for colon cancer, into what is now a standardized, proven process that has been replicated within many communities and throughout many projects in Colorado and across the country.
The development process of a BCT typically last between six and nine months and includes a series of in-person and phone meetings. With the need to get relevant and accurate information out to specific communities across Colorado that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, this CO-CEAL effort is using a “rapid” BCT (rBCT) model. The rBCT model will take place in five communities and will guide participants through the entire process in eight weeks, completely virtually.
At the end of the development phase, groups will work with trained BCT facilitators, medical experts and designers to produce high- quality materials that are distributed in local community venues.
High Level Education
BCTs begin with a medical expert presenting an in-depth educational session on the given topic. The information is not over-simplified for a lay audience.Consistent Partners
Throughout a BCT, the same community and academic partners participate. The result is a robust group dynamic.Active Facilitators
BCT facilitators are part of the BCT team. There is “back and forth” communication, and the facilitator’s expertise is shared as part of the group.Collaborative Creation
BCT engages local community members in changing the way patients and community members think and communicate about health.
Resources
High Plains Research Network Testing to Prevent Colon Cancer
Boot camp translation: a method for building a community of solution
Testing to Prevent Colon Cancer: How Rural Community Members Took on a Community-Based Intervention
Reinventing The Wheel Of Medical Evidence: How The Boot Camp Translation Process Is Making Gains
A Community Engagement Method to Design Patient Engagement Materials for Cardiovascular Health