Facilitators and Challenges to Conducting Interdisciplinary Research

Abstract

The discussion is framed using an adaptation of the Interdisciplinary Research Model to evaluate improvements in individual health outcomes, health systems, and health policy. Barriers and facilitators to designing, conducting, and translating interdisciplinary research are discussed. Implications for health system and policy changes, including the need to provide funding mechanisms to implement interdisciplinary processes in both research and clinical practice, are provided.

Medication Therapy Management after Hospitalization in CKD

“…For example, counseling and education were provided to nonadherent participants, but whether they became adherent subsequently could not be determined. In a prior study of a general population of hospitalized patients with homecare nurse interventionists, medication discrepancies required multiple visits for resolution (12,27). Medication management services conducted within quality improvement projects sponsored by the Center for Medicare Services have reported reductions in hospitalization rates of 15%-35%, but they required long-term (up to 6 years) follow-up to detect improvements (28)(29)(30).…”

“…The sample size was projected from a pilot study (approximately 50% reduction in 30-day readmissions) in a general population of hospitalized patients (n=232) (27). On the basis of a large observed effect of this intervention compared with usual care in a CKD ND subset (one of 16 or 6% versus seven of 17 or 41% first events, respectively), a conservative projection was made for a power estimate for the CKD-MIT medication therapy management intervention (14% versus 40% rate for the first primary outcome event).…”

Interdisciplinary Research Teams

“…5 Setting constraints can also be a challenge to a newly forming clinical research team. It takes a time commitment on the part of members to communicate, be present, and problem solve as a team.…”

A research capacity strengthening project for infectious diseases in Honduras: experience and lessons learned

“…Achieving multidisciplinarity is not without challenges (47), but in the particular case of infectious disease, a collaborative approach to research and intervention is imperative if we are to reduce their burden to human and animal populations (43). As MEIZ continues to mature and the critical mass of researchers grows, we anticipate a diversification of research topics and collaboration across disciplines.…”