Community Mistrust and Measures of Institutional Trustworthiness (COMMIT)

Background: This study employed a continuous engagement approach to advance institutional trustworthiness and improve the strength of an existing community-engaged research (CEnR) partnership. In collaboration with community and community-based pharmacy partners, the purpose was to understand the social, ethical, and behavioral implications (SEBI) of COVID-19 testing in underserved and vulnerable populations.

Materials/Methods: The study aims were to codesign a sustainable model for trustworthy CEnR partnerships to address SEBI of COVID-19 testing, assess best practices of trustworthy CEnR partnerships to address COVID-19 testing SEBI factors, and codevelop an ethically-congruent memorandum of commitment (MOC) template for CEnR partnerships for COVID-19 testing to advance trust through trustworthiness, transparency, and respect.

Outcome/Impact: The outcomes of this study yielded a blueprint for trustworthy CEnR partnerships to engage underserved and vulnerable populations in COVID-19 testing and research and prepare for future public health emergencies and disasters, multistakeholder community-driven set of best practices for COVID-19 testing and CEnR, and a template for developing MOCs for trustworthy CEnR partnerships for COVID-19 testing.