Partnering with sarcoidosis patients to implement a community advisory board.

BACKGROUND: Community advisory boards (CABs) are increasingly recognized as a means of incorporating patient experience into clinical practice and research. The power of community advisory boards is derived from engaging with community members as equals throughout the research process. Despite this, little is known of community member experience and views on best practices for running a CAB in a rare pulmonary disease.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are CAB members' views on the best practices for CAB formation and maintenance in a rare pulmonary disease?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In August 2021 we formed the Cleveland Clinic Sarcoidosis Health Partners (CC-HP) as a community advisory board (CAB) to direct research and clinic improvement initiatives at a quaternary sarcoidosis center. We collaboratively evaluated our process for formation and maintenance of the CC-HP with the patient members of the group. Through the series of reflection/debriefing discussions, CAB patient members developed a consensus account of salient obstacles and facilitators of forming and maintaining a CAB in a rare pulmonary disease.

RESULTS: Clinician and community members of the CC-HP found published guidelines to be an effective tool for structuring formation of a CAB in a rare pulmonary disease. Facilitators included a dedicated coordinator, collaborative development of projects, and a focus on improving clinical care. Obstacles to CAB functioning were formal structure, focus on projects with academic merit but no immediate impact to patients, and over reliance on digital resources.

INTERPRETATION: By centering our evaluation of our CAB on community member experience, we were able to both identify facilitators and impediments to CAB as well as improve our own processes.