Developing a research unit within a hospital social work department.
This article describes the establishment of a research unit as an integral part of a hospital social work department on the basis of the authors' experience in a cancer center over a 13-year period. Methods are described for building support within the institution, for the process of initiating the unit, for deciding on study topics, and finally for bridging the gap between clinical and research staff. The evolution of the relationship between clinical and research staff was characterized by four different phases: curiosity, competitiveness, cooperation, and collaboration. A childhood bereavement project is used to exemplify the developmental processes and the ongoing interaction of research and clinical staff. The professional practice of all staff benefited from the increased academic rigor and productivity, although some staff remained unconvinced of the value of such a major research effort. The benefits and costs of the unit are also discussed.
Christ
G H
GH
Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY 10025, USA.
Siegel
K
K
Weinstein
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012106:Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital