Collaboration and its Role in Knowledge Translation at the Council Level in a Magnet Organization: A Qualitative Study to Better Understand the Collaboration Experience

Purpose: To understand and describe how nurses with quality improvement (QI), research and practice expertise and accountabilities perceived efforts at collaboration when planning the implementation of a practice change and uptake, sustainability, and patient care outcomes. 

Methods: A purposive sample of six nurses, two each from the QI, Research and Practice Councils, formed an evidence-based practice (EBP) committee. They critically analyzed the retrieved scientific evidence with consideration given to clinical expertise, patient preference, and cost/benefit and made recommendations regarding content development, implementation responsibility and outcomes monitoring for the initiative. Following this integrative review, minimally structured focus group interviews were conducted with questions focusing on the committee’s perceptions of the collaboration process and their perceived role in knowledge translation. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Major themes and themes describing the EBP committee collaboration experience were identified.

Results: Three major themes and eight themes were identified. 1) Challenges in the EBP process included (i) process identification, (ii) time commitment and the ability to (iii) regain and retain the momentum affected by numerous articles, infrequent meeting times and work constraints. 2) The value of group diversity with (iv) different levels of expertise, (v) varied clinical practice areas, and (vi) self-awareness of bias was believed to enhance the collaborative process and the variety of approaches and creativity in reviewing the practice initiative. 3) Role clarity and the (vii) necessity of clear expectations and (viii) good directions assured understanding of the responsibilities in the knowledge translation process. 

Conclusion: The collaborative experience of the EBP committee successfully partnered members of the Nursing QI, Research, and Practice Councils in determining the value of the practice initiative to the patients. Understanding and minimizing barriers associated with the implementation of practice initiatives, may potentially maximize success at improving outcomes and the sustainability of practice initiatives.