Promoting clinical psychiatric mental health nursing research through the creation of a research-practice collaboration: a feasibility study

Abstract

Background: Due to the less visible nature of psychiatric mental health (PMH) nurses’ work, they are best suited to identify knowledge gaps and use research to find solutions. Unfortunately, nurses often lack research skills and confidence, which makes a collaboration between clinical and academic nurses ideal in determining best practices. Purpose: This report describes a feasibility study undertaken to assess interest and support for a research-practice collaboration between Memorial University’s School of Nursing and Eastern Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. Methods: The feasibility study involved four components. First, an integrative literature review was conducted to identify the successes and challenges in the establishment and sustainability of an academic-practice partnerships involving nursing. Second, a series of consultations was conducted that included interviews with administrators from both organizations and focus groups with practicing psychiatric mental health nurses. Administrators indicated support for the collaboration and nurse s, although they described minimal exposure to research, were open to involvement in practice-driven projects. The third activity involved establishment of the research team that included four practicing nurses and the development of a research proposal that reflected patient care priorities identified by nurses in the consultation. A mixed-methods research proposal was developed by the team over a period of eight weeks. The final activity involved the development of a draft terms of reference for a formalized, research-practice collaboration between the two organizations. Conclusion: Given the positive nature of the feasibility study outcomes, pursuing a partnership was assessed as having strong potential for success.