Introducing biospecimen science to communities: Tools from two cities

Background: This article describes community-engaged processes employed by two Community Network Program Center (CNPC) sites located in Tampa, Florida, and Buffalo, New York, toward the development of Spanish/English educational products about biobanking and biospecimen research. Methods: Each CNPC carried out a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach that underscored six essential components that moved concepts to a final educational product in a highly participatory fashion. The similar CBPR processes at the two locations focused on the same topic, resulted in different engagement approaches and tools for their respective communities: 1) DVD and brochure toolkit and 2) PowerPoint, group program with audience response system (ARS). Results: We detail a comparison of methods and applications for using these tools among diverse community groups to advance understandings about genetic and biomedical research technologies. Conclusion: Ultimately, these tools and associated educational efforts emphasize the critical value of co-learning among academic and community members in biobanking and biospecimen research.