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Establishing a transdisciplinary research team in academia
Joyce Magill-Evans1, Megan Hodge, Johanna Darrah
1Department of Occupational Therapy, OT(C), Room 2-64, Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G4. joyce.magill-evans@ualberta.ca
Journal of Allied Health
|December 21, 2002
Summary
Establishing a transdisciplinary research team improved intervention for children with disabilities by integrating diverse expertise. Challenges in trust and communication were overcome, enhancing theoretical application in practice.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Research
- Interdisciplinary Studies
Background:
- Transdisciplinary research models are increasingly recognized for addressing complex health issues.
- Integrating diverse clinical expertise is crucial for effective intervention strategies.
- The Applied Developmental Neuroscience group was formed to bridge theory and practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the establishment of a transdisciplinary research team focused on children with disabilities.
- To identify challenges encountered during the formation and operation of the team.
- To outline strategies for overcoming these challenges and highlight the benefits of the transdisciplinary model.
Main Methods:
- Formation of a transdisciplinary team including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and developmental pediatricians.
- Qualitative analysis of challenges faced, including interpersonal dynamics and academic environment factors.
- Description of strategies implemented to foster collaboration and integration.
Main Results:
- Initial challenges included establishing trust, effective communication, time commitment, and finding a common theoretical perspective.
- The autonomous academic environment presented unique hurdles for the collaborative research effort.
- Successful strategies led to cross-fertilization of theoretical perspectives and enhanced application of frameworks.
Conclusions:
- Transdisciplinary models offer significant benefits for research on childhood disabilities.
- Overcoming interpersonal and systemic challenges is key to successful transdisciplinary collaboration.
- The Applied Developmental Neuroscience group demonstrates a viable model for integrating theory and practice in developmental neuroscience research.