In 2022, the article “Scaling Up Citizen Workshops in Public Libraries to Disseminate and Discuss Primary Care Research Results: Quasi-Experimental Study” was published. Several members of our unit are part of the team that wrote it.
- José Massougbodji
- Hervé Tchala Vignon Zomahoun
- Evehouenou Lionel Adisso
- Jasmine Sawadogo
- Valérie Borde
- Cynthia Cameron
- Hélène Moisan
- Jean-Sébastien Paquette
- Zamzam Akbaraly
- Lëa-Kim Châteauneuf
- Geneviève David
- Groupe Bibliothèques
- France Légaré
Massougbodji J, Zomahoun HTV, Adisso EL, Sawadogo J, Borde V, Cameron C, Moisan H, Paquette J-S, Akbaraly Z, Châteauneuf L-K, David G, Groupe Bibliothèques, Légaré F. Scaling Up Citizen Workshops in Public Libraries to Disseminate and Discuss Primary Care Research Results: Quasi-Experimental Study. Interactive Journal of Medical Research. DOI: 10.2196/38419
Context
Engaging patients, the public, and stakeholders in scaling effective knowledge transfer interventions aimed at the public remains underdocumented. In 2017, a pilot program to disseminate emerging primary care research findings proved effective in Quebec. This study aimed to scale up that pilot program.
Method
The authors conducted a public-facing scaling-up intervention based on the pilot program. It consisted of free citizen workshops co-developed and implemented in public libraries, in partnership with stakeholders and patient representatives. Each workshop, led by a physician and a science communicator, included a 45-minute computer-assisted presentation followed by a 45-minute open discussion. Intervention outcomes focused on knowledge acquisition, while scaling outcomes included satisfaction, relevance, coverage, and costs. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Results
The workshop theme, chosen by patient and stakeholder representatives, addressed medication overuse among people aged 65 and older. From April to May 2019, 26 workshops were held in 25 public libraries, reaching 362 participants (average age: 64.8 years). Eighteen physicians and six science communicators facilitated the sessions. Participants reported significant knowledge gains. The median overall satisfaction score was 9 out of 10. Workshop relevance was rated high. Coverage reached 92% of targeted libraries. Costs were CAD $6,051.84 for design and CAD $22,935.41 for scaling.
Conclusion
This project established a large-scale, effective, and collaborative dissemination practice among researchers, clinicians, and citizens. It serves as a model for knowledge transfer that directly engages the public in sharing primary care research findings.