Nursing research in the VA system. A consortium approach

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Administration
• Nursing Research
• Collaborative Healthcare Models

Background:

• Nursing research is crucial for evidence-based practice.
• Multisite healthcare systems face unique challenges in fostering research.
• The Veterans' Administration (VA) system provides a model for inter-institutional collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a consortium model for promoting nursing research.
• To identify key factors for successful research consortiums in healthcare settings.
• To provide recommendations for establishing and managing research collaborations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on research consortiums.
• Analysis of a specific consortium's experience among five Veterans' Administration Medical Centers.
• Survey of 171 Veterans' Administration facilities regarding research collaboration.

Main Results:

• Consortiums can effectively promote nursing research across multiple sites.
• Existing institutional mechanisms for information sharing facilitate consortium success.
• Successful consortiums require established infrastructure for collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Consortiums are a viable strategy for enhancing nursing research in multisite facilities.
• The VA consortium model offers valuable insights for other healthcare systems.
• Implementing consortiums requires leveraging existing collaborative structures.