Dataset from Community-engaged Approaches to Testing in Community and Healthcare Settings for Underserved Populations

Background: The purpose of this study was to address substantial disparities in COVID-19 testing and outcomes in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources program and its long-standing community-engaged partnerships were well positioned to improve understanding of barriers to SARS-CoV-2 testing and to increase testing access among underserved and vulnerable populations. The study aimed to gather essential information on community, provider, and patient-level impediments to diagnostic testing while rapidly expanding testing statewide.

Materials/Methods: The study used both practice-based and community-based strategies. The practice-based component supported small primary care practices by integrating existing research infrastructure to implement guidelines based COVID-19 testing and provide patient education on risk mitigation. The community-based component deployed mobile testing sites to respond quickly to community needs, increase operational efficiency, and expand statewide testing capacity in partnership with public health authorities. The intervention was designed to remain pragmatic and adaptable to evolving barriers, shifting community attitudes, and changes in testing technology. Data were collected through comprehensive, ongoing evaluations that assessed provider and patient attitudes, barriers and facilitators to testing, identified disparities in COVID-19 impact, and compared the effectiveness of practice-based and community-based strategies.

Outcome/Impact: The study generated a detailed understanding of multilevel factors that shaped barriers to SARS-CoV-2 testing in underserved Oklahoma communities. The combined practice-based and community-based approaches broadened testing reach, strengthened public health capacity, and demonstrated scalable strategies for increasing diagnostic testing among vulnerable populations. The evaluation findings informed future collaborations and supported efforts to reduce disparities in testing access and COVID-19 outcomes across rural and high-risk populations.

研究背景：本研究旨在解决俄克拉荷马州（Oklahoma）新冠病毒检测与诊疗结局中存在的显著不平等问题。俄克拉荷马州共享临床与转化资源项目（Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources program）及其长期开展的社区参与合作模式，为加深对严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）检测阻碍的认知，以及提升服务不足与脆弱人群的检测可及性提供了良好基础。本研究旨在收集社区、医护人员及患者层面的诊断检测阻碍相关关键信息，同时在全州范围内快速推进检测工作。

材料与方法：本研究同时采用了基于临床实践与基于社区的两种策略。基于临床实践的子研究通过整合现有研究基础设施，落实基于指南的新冠病毒检测方案，并为患者提供风险防控相关健康宣教，以此支持小型基层医疗诊所运营。基于社区的子研究则联合公共卫生部门部署移动检测站点，以快速响应社区检测需求、提升运营效率并扩大全州检测能力。本次干预方案设计务实灵活，可适配不断变化的检测阻碍、社区认知转变以及检测技术的迭代更新。研究通过全面且持续的评估收集数据，评估内容涵盖医护人员与患者的认知态度、检测的阻碍与促进因素、新冠疫情影响的不平等情况，并对比了基于临床实践与基于社区两种策略的实施效果。

结果与影响：本研究明确了俄克拉荷马州服务不足社区中影响严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）检测的多层面阻碍因素。基于临床实践与社区的联合策略扩大了检测覆盖范围，强化了公共卫生服务能力，并验证了可推广的策略，用于提升脆弱人群的诊断检测覆盖率。本研究的评估结果为后续合作提供了参考，并助力减少农村及高风险人群在检测获取与新冠诊疗结局方面的不平等问题。