Developing a best practice framework for R&D.

The function of R&D is integral to the quality of health and care provided within the health service, both in terms of development of knowledge and how this knowledge can be used to enhance the provision of patient care. Nurses and midwives have an important contribution to make to this agenda and whilst the R&D landscape is changing, with positive progress reported in relation to new funding streams, there is still a significant way to go before nursing research is recognised at international level (Rafferty and Traynor, 2003). This paper presents a Framework that has been developed within Northern Ireland as part of a project commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Services, aimed at benchmarking progress within nursing and midwifery R&D. This work builds on the strategic direction identified in the position paper published by McKenna and Mason (1998), with the intention of identifying new strategic priorities to further develop this agenda over the next five years. The development of the R&D Best Practice Framework was informed by a comprehensive literature analysis, focusing on strategic and policy literature and related literature highlighting standards for best practice. An approach was adopted that was compatible with the RCN’s position paper (2002) focusing on promoting excellence in care through R&D. This resulted in the articulation of best practice statements, which were evidenced from the literature analysis. Statements were developed for key stakeholder groups including healthcare providers, higher education institutes and R&D funders, and themed under six headings: strategy development; partnership working; building capacity; infrastructure; research in practice; and outcome assessment. The presentation will focus on how the framework was developed and the potential for its use as measure of R&D capability, drawing on the experience from the current project.