Activating Research

Questions, ideas, reassurance or evidence of impact; research is a crucial part of strategic planning and implementing change. Retrospective research, has its place, but to ensure clarity of direction and to capture the nuances of change, research is an integral part of the collaborative culture. I learned in the early stage of my career, that in the absence of theory, the building blocks for creating a collaborative culture are easily dislodged, giving rise to uncertainty and misguided assumptions. Re-designing, using an evidence-based approach, enabled me to embed an interprofessional education and practice strategy for collaborative working.

Partnership research, involving multiple disciplines seeking common ground for a strategic direction on collaborative working, requires discussions and negotiations from a range of viewpoints. Working across boundaries, we utilised evidence from national and international studies, redesigned research questions and methodologies, and took part in comparative studies. An example being a learning platform for collaborative working that is informs health professional educational and training and clinical practice. Research sits as a cog in the wheel for innovation, as it continues to shape service provision, patient experience and workforce change.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13561829709040246