t/g d ate Research Assistant: Methods and gerontology content Funded research:

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1 Co-Sponsors: UW Center for Interd disciplinary Geriatric Research A RAND/Hartford Center UW Institute on Aging

2 University of Washington Rand Hartford Center Interdisciplinary Geriatric Research Forum Heather M. Young, PhD, GNP, FAAN Grace Phelps Distinguished Professor and Director, John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

3 Growing in an interdisciplinary environment Doctoral student/gradua t/g d ate Research Assistant: t Methods and gerontology content Funded research: Mental and Physical Health of Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer s Diseasee Nikkei/Kame project Medication management and safety in Assisted Living Health Information Technology and Medication Safety

4 One Study of the Processes A Multi-Method Analysis of Social and Technical Conditions for Interdisciplinary Collaboration Principal Investigator, Diana Rhoten, Ph.D. Funded by the National Science Foundation Used network analysis and ethnography to examine interdisciplinary research methods in six interdisciplinary research centers hv_pub_interdis pdf

5 Findings Transformation toward int terdisciplinary research in centers may be more subjective than objective, more individualized than genera alized Most preferred interactionn method was informal face- inclusion of multiple to-face Evidence was stronger for disciplines rather than integration of interdisciplinary perspectives and methods Examples of clear divisionss separating disciplines Distinct clusters of interactions within disciplines

6 Findings Second to center directors, graduate students occupied positions of centrality Smaller (rather than larger centers of > 51 people) may be more conducive to interdisciplinary research activities

7 Forces in our favor Gerontology is inherentl ly interdisciplinary i Our field has drawn from many perspectives and includes multiple l metho ds and approaches Our professional organizations and publications are interdisciplinary i Gerontologists are nice people NIH is favoring interdisciplinary work Organizations are becoming more friendly to collaboration across units

8 Hurdles to consider It takes time and money It takes an openness to appreciate different academic preparation and traditions (sociological-professional barriers) It takes translation of language, norms, expectations It involves building and nurturing relationships Communication is key

9 Organization Level Issues Existing interdisciplinary ties and connections Research priorities at th he organization level Professional socialization and experience Infrastructure to support collaboration Geography and physica al space

10 What are important questions? How do you recognize when an interdisciplinary approach is desired/necessary what are the respective contributions in methods/content? How are the participating disciplines/members chosen? How are the disciplines strengths integrated? How does the combinat tion contribute to the methods, data, and results? What mechanisms are needed to facilitate the development and nurturing of the team