A digital toolkit to implement and manage a multisite study.
Calls for multisite studies are increasing in nursing education. However, the challenge of implementing consistent protocols and maintaining rigorous standards across sites can be daunting. One purpose of a recent multisite, collaborative, simulation study was to evaluate a digital toolkit's effectiveness for managing a multisite study. We describe the digital toolkit composed of Web-based technologies used to manage a study involving five sites including one United Kingdom site. The digital toolkit included a wiki, a project Web site to coordinate the protocols and study materials, software to organize study materials, and a secure location for sharing data. Most of these are familiar tools; however, combined as a toolkit, they became a useful management system. Web-based communication strategies and coordinated technical support served as key adjuncts to foster collaboration. This article also offers practical implications and recommendations for using a digital toolkit in other multisite studies.
School of Nursing, Oregan Health & Science University, Porland. lasaterk@ohsu.edu
Kathie
K
Lasater
Elizabeth
E
Johnson
Kay
K
Hodson-Carlton
Linda
L
Siktberg
Stephanie
S
Sideras
D003142:Communication; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D008348:Manikins; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016730:Program Development; D012984:Software