Participatory Action Planning to Address the Opioid Crisis in a Rural Virginia Community Using the SEED Method

Abstract

The SEED Method is a multi-stakeholder approach that was created to involve diverse stakeholders in the development and prioritization of research questions using community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles. Here we describe an adaptation of the SEED Method that focuses on developing and prioritizing strategies for addressing a health problem and bringing stakeholders together to develop and implement community action plans based on those strategies. We describe steps for implementing the SEED Method for community action planning and the results of a case study in a rural Virginia community with high opioid prescription and mortality rates. A participatory research team worked with three groups of Topic stakeholders to gather data, develop conceptual models, and create and prioritize strategies for reducing prescription and non-prescription opioid misuse and overdoses. Each group came up with 19 to 25 strategies and prioritized their top five, which included actions, services or programs, strategies, policies, and system changes. Attendees at community action planning meetings reviewed the 15 prioritized strategies, proposed three additional strategies, and prioritized their top choices. Community stakeholders started four work groups to implement the selected strategies in collaboration with the research team.

A Guide to Selecting Participatory Research Methods Based on Project and Partnership Goals

“…The working group included faculty members from the United States, Portugal, and England whose work focused on implementing, advancing, and evaluating PHR methods. Having used and written about a wide variety of PHR methods (e.g., Dias et al, 2018 ; Dias & Gama, 2014 ; Harris, Booth, et al, 2018 ; Harris, Cook, et al, 2018 ; Harris et al, 2019 ; Jacquez et al, 2013 ; Smith et al, 2020 ; Vaughn et al, 2009 , 2016 ; Vaughn & DeJonckheere, 2019 ; Vaughn & Jacquez, 2020 ; Vaughn & Lohmueller, 2014 ; Zimmerman, 2021 ; Zimmerman et al, 2020 ), the authors began the process of developing this article by creating an annotated list of methods they were aware of and creating a matrix to identify different characteristics of these methods. Next, we grouped the methods into the domains presented here and then conducted literature reviews within each domain to identify additional methods and relevant literature, including foundational articles and more recent implementation studies.…”

“…An example of an Exploration and Visioning process method that can be used to support research development is the multi-stakeholder SEED Method ( Zimmerman et al, 2020 ; Zimmerman & Cook, 2021 ), which brings in multiple groups of patient and stakeholder participants in the research team, by creating “topic groups” that build conceptual models and develop research questions or strategies, and also through consultation such as focus groups or interviews. The SEED Method has been used to develop and prioritize research questions on lung cancer disparities ( Rafie et al, 2019 ), diet and behavioral management of diabetes and hypertension ( Zimmerman et al, 2017 ), and to develop strategies for addressing the opioid crisis and working with stakeholders to develop and implement action plans ( Zimmerman et al, 2020 ).…”

A rural community’s perspective on the causes of and solutions to the opioid crisis in southern Virginia: a qualitative study

“…Therefore, solutions must be developed within the local context and with engagement of key community partners through processes that give voice to those most impacted 14 . The Stakeholder Engagement in Research Question Development (SEED) Method, a participatory engagement method, was used within a rural community impacted by the opioid epidemic in Southern Virginia as a model for local solutions to the crisis 15 .…”

“…It engages community residents and partners at various levels of involvement to develop strategies and implement priority strategies through community action planning 23 . With the help of the local taskforce, EM launched the project using the SEED Method to generate community action plans 15 .…”

“…This information assisted the research team and participating stakeholders in the development of strategies and action plans to implement in the community. A complete description of this project 15 and the SEED Method is available elsewhere 23 , 24 . The focus group process and key findings are reported in this article.…”