Three clinical research partnerships between the College of Nursing and area medical center nursing departments provide a rich environment for those interested in clinical nursing research in southeast Michigan and beyond. PhD students whose research focuses on clinical aspects of self-care and caregiving and its impact on urban health find ample clinical research infrastructure in place to support their studies, as well as opportunities to participate in CON faculty research.
The first clinical research partnership began in the year 2000 with the Detroit Medical Center through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the DMC Faculty Scholars Program for CON faculty. College of Nursing students, DMC staff nurses, CHR methodologists, and related-discipline scientists/doctoral students are brought together to focus on an area of nursing research of interest to a CON faculty scholar.
Since its inception, 21 projects have been funded, with results from all but the most recently awarded projects having been presented locally and regionally; several have been presented nationally and internationally. Approximately 80% of the DMC Scholar studies have generated publications and over 50% have served to strengthen the foundation for faculty members' further external funding applications.
In 2003 the CON-DMC research partnership was expanded to include a virtual Center for Clinical Research in the DMC. Advanced Practice Nurses for all nine DMC hospitals participate in a Nursing Council that sets a DMC nursing research agenda, reviews our faculty members' DMC Scholar applications for clinical merit, and uses formal consultant relationships with CON faculty researchers and CHR methodologists to increase the production of evidence needed for establishing best practices and improving health outcomes for DMC patients and their families. A second partnership with Henry Ford Health System began in 2005 with the virtual center concept as an adjunct to their established nursing research department. The virtual center is manifesting itself in jointly conceived clinical research projects as the HFHS biostatistics department and CON faculty consultants assist HFHS nurses to develop clinical studies leading to improved clinical outcomes in the HFHS. During 2007-2008 a HFHS Faculty Scholars Program for CON faculty will be implemented.
A third partnership began in November of 2006 with the William Beaumont Hospitals. They have contracted for consultation from CON faculty scholars as well as CHR methodologists and plans are underway for a WBH Scholars program for CON faculty research to be developed during year two of the partnership.
