Partnerships in health disparities research and the roles of pastors of black churches: potential conflict, synergy, and expectations.

BACKGROUND

The black church is a promising site to engage in health disparities research; however, little is understood about the pastors' perspectives. We used role theory to explore their expectations, potential conflicts, and synergy with research.

METHODS

Four focus groups (n = 30) were conducted with pastors and analyzed using principles of grounded theory and content analysis.

RESULTS

Pastors identified a variety of potential roles in research. They noted potential conflicts due to perceptions of research, the process, and pace of research. Areas of synergy included perceptions of health disparities research as consistent with the healthy mind, body, and spirit ideology, and clear benefits to congregations and communities. Pastors' research expectations included long-term commitments, honest and clear communication, investigator visibility, respect for church traditions/practices, and support in forming collaborations.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding pastors' roles, potential areas of synergy and conflict, and collaboration expectations offers insight in support of successful church-academic partnerships.