Paper
Sunday, November 4, 2007
352
Developing a Collaborative Intervention Science
Jennifer A. Wenzel, PhD, RN, CCM, Victoria Mock, DNSc, FAAN, Jerilyn K. Allen, RN, ScD, FAAN, Miyong Kim, PhD, RN, and Marie Nolan, DNSc, RN. School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| Learning Objective #1: identify processes and outcomes of a research center focused on promoting collaborative relationships and scholarship among intervention scientists. |
| Learning Objective #2: describe the potential influence of Center activities and projects on research collaborations to develop and test interventions. |
Funded through NINRP30NRO8995, the Center for Collaborative Intervention Research (CCIR) promotes and supports interdisciplinary collaborations to facilitate development, testing, and evaluation of cost-effective interventions. Training, education, mentoring, and research resources are tailored to promote collaborative opportunities for faculty at all levels. The Center is based on a conceptual model adapted from Pender’s Model of Health Promotion and the ANA conceptualization of collaboration (interdisciplinary/interagency/community/international).
Innovative Center processes that promote research collaborations include: monthly interdisciplinary brownbags, intervention-focused workshops cosponsored with other disciplines, and sophisticated web-based technology which allows Center resources to be accessed by faculty across disciplines. These efforts facilitate knowledge-sharing and close collaborations across health-related professions and foster appreciation for the unique contribution of nursing to developing intervention science. Research assistance, biostatistican and editing services are provided to developing and experienced researchers. Educational resources (DVD recordings, texts, software) are available to faculty and students through the Center’s library.
Center Outcomes include pilot funding for nine multidisciplinary research teams to date. Projects must demonstrate collaborative research partnerships to receive funding. Funded studies contribute to intervention science in the following two areas: (1) interventions to improve health services for disadvantaged or marginalized populations (immigrants, victims of abuse, mentally ill) and (2) to improve health outcomes (chronic illness, treatment adherence). Other products of completed CCIR pilot grants include a subsequent successful RO3 submission, an R21 submission and 2 RO1 submissions. Center faculty have established knowledge-sharing relationships with local, national and international research Centers to further develop science surrounding the development of interventions. These relationships provide opportunities for faculty to share resources and enhance research scholarship.
As a centralized resource for new and established investigators, the CCIR has demonstrated an ability to foster interdisciplinary research and contribute to intervention science. This work is accomplished through supporting and promoting meaningful research collaborations among faculty across disciplines.