1. Results of a Practice Enhancement Opportunity Assessment of FQHCs in South Carolina Practice Enhancement Opportunity Assessment Team Heather M. Brandt, PhD, CHES 1 ; Vicki Young, PhD 2 ; Dayna Campbell, MS 2 ; Tisha Felder, PhD, MSW 1 ; Daniela B. Friedman, PhD 1 ; James R. Hébert, ScD 1 ; Leepao Khang 1 ; Faris Nayfeh 1 ; James L. McCracken, MA 1 1 University of South Carolina 2 South Carolina Primary Health Care Association This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2. Practice Enhancement Opportunity Assessment Partners  SC Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network  South Carolina Primary Health Care Association  National Association of Community Health Centers  Clinical & Translational Science Institute at Children's National - a joint effort of the Children's National Medical Center and The George Washington University This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3. Practice Enhancement Opportunity Assessment Purpose To assess South Carolina’s Federally Qualified Health Centers’ (FQHCs) interest in and capacity for participation in research by evaluating the barriers, benefits, motivating factors, and needs associated with past and future collaborative research attempts. This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. Practice Enhancement Opportunity Assessment (PEOA) This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  We were especially interested in understanding how health centers and academic partners can build and enhance partnerships for mutually beneficial research endeavors.  General findings related to the quantitative assessment are reported.

5. Practice Enhancement Opportunity Assessment (PEOA) 20 SC FQHCs were contacted to participate. 39 web-based survey items assessed:  General research experience and interest  Partnership and funding for research  Staffing and ethical review  Barriers and benefits to participation in research  Training and technical assistance needs  Capacity for conducting research This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

6. PEOA Results 14 FQHCs responded (response rate=70%) and received a $100 incentive.  10 of the 14 FQHCs had previously conducted and/or participated in research.  All 10 categorized their previous experiences as successful/somewhat successful, and 9 were interested in expanding research activities.  4 centers that had not previously conducted/participated in research were interested in external research partnerships. This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

7. PEOA Results Top 5 factors for successful partnerships*  Health center leadership was actively engaged (n=10)  Benefits to organization were clear and compelling (n=10)  Front-line staff were actively engaged (n=9)  Each partner had clear roles and responsibilities (n=9)  Partnership was characterized by trust and/or transparency (n=8) *n = 10 centers that reported having research experience This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

8. PEOA Results Top 5 barriers to participating in research*  Lack of dedicated staff time to conduct or participate in research (n=5)  Concern over loss of productivity or income during research (n=4)  Insufficient training in applying for and conducting research (n=3)  Alignment of research-related activities with center’s mission (n=3) *n = 14 centers This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

9. PEOA Results Top 3 benefits of participating in research*  Improved patient outcomes and experience (n=12)  Additional resources to support the health center (n=11)  Reduction in health disparities (n=11) *n = 14 centers This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

10. PEOA Results Most pertinent needs for training/technical assistance*  How to find research funding opportunities (n=11)  How to use research to inform programs and services (n=8)  Preference for webinars/online learning (n=12)  Preference for half or full day seminars (n=11) *n = 14 centers This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

11. PEOA Conclusions & Implications This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results of this assessment will be used to:  Improve the content and format of future training, technical assistance, and capacity building activities for the benefit of FQHCs.  Create and facilitate promising opportunities for academics and FQHCs to collaborate in evidence- based cancer prevention and control research.

12. PEOA Conclusions & Implications This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Findings of this assessment are being shared through presentations, an executive summary, and publication.  The South Carolina Primary Health Care Association, SC FQHCs, and USC are currently collaborating on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of web- based training programs.

13. Acknowledgements Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Prevention Research Centers and National Cancer Institute-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network U48/DP001936 (Project Leader: HM Brandt; PI: DB Friedman; Co-PI: JR Hébert). We are grateful to our national and state partners and all participating FQHCs in South Carolina. This presentation was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number U48/DP001936 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings and conclusions in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.