Rapid Ethnographic Response and Evaluation (RARE)

Impactful research and evaluation in health crises

Dr. Robert T. Trotter II developed and launched a program (RARE and I-RARE) that provides tools for the rapid assessment of HIV and drug intervention programs. Dr. Trotter’s research efforts have resulted in the capture of numerous research grants and in the employment and training of numerous graduate and undergraduate students.

Rapid Assessment, Response and Evaluation (RARE) is a National Institutes of Health and National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NIH/CDC) sponsored/created methodological approach to providing institutions and communities information they need to respond to time sensitive crisis situations. RARE assessment involves triangulation of multiple methods to conduct rigorous, locally responsive assessment and evaluation within a much shorter timeframe than conventional research. RARE methodology has been tested in various health crisis situations, including HIV prevention, pandemic mitigation, and substance use prevention and recovery.

Current Research

Dr. Trotter and Dr. Emery Eaves currently lead a project, with Dr. Julie Baldwin, Director of the Center for Health Equity Research and Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative, aiming understand how relaxed restrictions for telemedicine and mHealth and changes to “take-homes” (medication that people can take at home for a week or two instead of coming to the clinic every day) impacted people in opioid treatment in rural, underserved, and minority communities in the wake of COVID-19.

Get involved!

Dr. Trotter and Dr. Eaves have opportunities for students to get involved in the Cultural Medical Anthropology Analysis Laboratory, led by Dr. Eaves, or as interns on various research projects.

Location & Dates

Research takes place year-round in Flagstaff and around Arizona.

Support

Dr. Trotter has received funding for RARE project from the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and other health-related organizations. The current RARE project to assess guidelines for medication assisted treatment during COVID-19 is funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities as a supplement to the Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative.