Planning and managing a complex multisite study in the age of technology

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Skills
• Skill Decay Analysis

Background:

• Multisite research in nursing education demands meticulous planning.
• Coordinating Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and processes across diverse sites presents logistical hurdles.
• Consistent training and support for all research team members are crucial for study integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill decay among nursing students.
• To describe the logistical processes involved in a complex, multisite research study.
• To identify challenges and innovative solutions encountered during the research.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year, two-phase multisite study involving 10 nursing schools in the United States.
• Carefully timed sessions for skill performance evaluation.
• Training and consistent support for all research team members.

Main Results:

• The study successfully navigated numerous logistical and procedural challenges.
• Innovative solutions and the integration of technology were key to overcoming obstacles.
• The research team effectively managed the complexities of a multisite research environment.

Conclusions:

• Successful execution of complex multisite nursing education studies is achievable with careful planning and adaptive strategies.
• Anticipating and addressing potential delays in processes and IRB protocols is vital.
• Leveraging technology can significantly mitigate challenges in large-scale research endeavors.