Blending practice and research: Practice-based research networks an opportunity for dietetics professionals

摘要

PBRNs form a "field of interaction" for dietetics practitioners to meet, share experiences, and develop shared perspectives, which is a necessary step in the creation of collective knowledge. Networks vary in structure, resources, leadership, and member experiences and expertise. There are several challenges in developing research-based networks: research training, establishing collaborative relationships between dietetics practitioners and researchers, resources in the workplace to support research, and resources to support the infrastructure of the network. A dietetics PBRN would provide benefits such as a system that will answer specific dieteticsrelated questions, synergy between dietetics practitioners and academia, and enhanced credibility for dietetics practitioners. The ADA already has some of the capacity necessary to form a dietetics PBRN. For example, members of the Research dietetic practice group have expressed an interest in conducting research. There also is a cadre of dietetics practitioners that have participated in ad hoc practice networks in past research. Depending on the topic selected, the disease-specific DPGs may serve as ideal collaborators. In addition, support from the House of Delegates, QualiW Management Committee, and Research Committee for practice-based research is evident.