All team members have committed to contribute their expertise in their professions and in IP education, to guide the progress and path of this research. All team members have committed themselves to execute the research plan, specifically participating in data analysis, conceptual framework development, identification of educational interventions, reviewing manuscripts and delivering presentations as needed. Team members are also responsible to act as liaisons within their departments and faculties for facilitation of communication and sharing of curricula.
As principal investigator, Dr. Marion Brown, is responsible for the overall form and function of the research project and meeting all deliverables. She completed her PhD research on girls’ use of violence using constructivist grounded theory methodology, the chosen methodology for the current research. Her academic appointment within the School of Social Work, at Dalhousie University is to ‘Field Education Research’, which focuses on the academic and practice preparation of social work students for practice via their clinical/field experiences. Given students interact with academia, agencies, communities and practitioners, as they practice within and analyze the realities of practice, it is an ideal context for research regarding academic preparation, personal and professional development and practice. She has been involved with the facilitation of interprofessional practice placements locally and nationally over the past four years.
Dr. Raewyn Bassett, methodological expert and health researcher for the Capital District Health Authority and the Dean’s Office, is a sociologist with research interests in social and health inequities, interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration, and methodological issues and challenges in qualitative research. She brings methodological and software expertise to the project. Update June 30, 2012: Raewyn has CDHA and Dalhousie to pursue her own research and other opportunities. We miss her insight and contributions to the IP project but wish her all the best!
Dr. Marilyn Macdonald has been a faculty member in the School of Nursing since 2005. Prior to this Dr. Macdonald worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with a specific focus on implementing technological changes to enhance patient safety. In 2006 Dr. Macdonald completed the CIHR Summer Research Institute with Dr. Nancy Edwards receiving the Excellence in Research Award. In 2007 Dr. Macdonald was selected to become a member of the Canadian Core Team for Safety in Homecare. Dr. Macdonald completed a pilot study on The Perspectives of Patients and Nurses on the Role of the Hospitalized Patient in Medication Administration Safety, published this work, and received NSHRF funding for the full study. Subsequently Dr. Macdonald Co-Led with Dr. Ariella Lang an Environmental Scan of Safety in Homecare commissioned by CPSI and available on their website. Dr. Macdonald is currently PI on two studies and Co-PI with Dr. Lang on a third: The Perspectives of Patients and Nurses on the Role of the Hospitalized Patient in Medication Administration Safety(NSHRF), A Scoping Literature Review of Safety in Homecare for Clients, FamilyMembers, Unpaid Caregivers and Paid Providers (CIHR), and Safety in Homecare: A Focus on Medication Management. This work is all focused on patient safety, making Dr. Macdonald a worthy co-applicant on this project seeking to contribute to safer healthcare by advancing knowledge surrounding appropriate interprofessional learning for improved patient safety.
Dr. Heidi Lauckner has been a primary colleague in the conceptualization of this research, the formulation of the research questions and methodological design, a process that commenced in September 2008. She has recently completed her PhD which examined community occupational therapy practice. Methodologically, Dr. Lauckner has experience with constructivist grounded theory and other qualitative methodologies (including interviews and model development). Regarding the content of the current research, Dr. Lauckner has experience in teaching and fieldwork preparation for students engaging in community-oriented practice. More recently, within the School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Dr. Lauckner has been involved in the establishment and support of interprofessional placements both locally and internationally. These placements have involved students from the following professions along with community partners: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, medicine and social work.
Co-investigator and mentor, Dr. Joan Sargeant has established expertise in IP conceptualization, curricula development, collaboration, practice education, evaluation and scholarship nationally and internationally. She is responsible for mentoring my research leadership in all areas throughout the project as well as contributing to the design and delivery of the research process.
New to our team as of July, 2012 is Tanya Dutton. She is the Manager of Interprofessional Practice in the Department of Rehabilitation and Supportive Care at Capital District Health. In Tanya’s own words when we approached her to join the research team: This is right up my alley! Tanya brings the practice perspective as the CDHA site investigator for the project.
