title: The meaning of collaboration, from the perspective of Iranian nurses: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interdisciplinary collaboration among nurses is a complex and multifaceted process, an essential element in nursing, which is crucial to maintain an efficient, safe, and viable medical setting. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of concept of collaboration through conducting a qualitative research approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is qualitatively conducted in a content analysis approach. The data collection process included 18 unstructured and in-depth interviews with nurses during 2012-2013 in educational medical centers of west and northwest of Iran. A purposive sampling method was used. All the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and finally analyzed using a qualitative content analysis with a conventional method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Categories obtained from analysis of the data to explain the meaning of collaboration consist of (i) prerequisites of collaboration, (ii) actualization of collaboration, and (iii) achievement of a common goal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study ended in the discovery of meaning of collaboration that confirm results of other related studies, hence clarifying and disambiguating the concept under study. These results also contribute to the development of collaboration theories and the relevant measurement tools.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5138947977, Iran.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zamanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673461, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irajpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Nursing and Midwifery School, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5138947977, Iran.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery School, Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5138947977, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shohani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult