The BE-ACTIV Project: How Research, Professional Training, Education, and Practice Were Integrated in a Single Clinical Trial.
This article describes how research, practice, and education were integrated in a National Institutes of Mental Health-funded clinical trial for treating depression in nursing homes. Involving undergraduate and doctoral students in this clinical trial supported the development of key competencies, expanded the professional pipeline, and provided an avenue for disseminating the treatment to other settings. The clinical trial served as a teaching laboratory for sixteen undergraduate and six doctoral students to (1) observe the culture of older adults in nursing homes, (2) develop and adapt clinical skills to a challenging patient population, (3) refine skills for collaborating in multidisciplinary teams, and (4) appreciate the relationship between science and practice. Dissemination of the intervention to nonresearch settings was served when the students took their skills to the settings where they launched their careers. Involvement of trainees in clinical trial research expands and enriches the capacity of the health care workforce in evidence-based practice and practice-informed research.
a Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences , University of Louisville , Louisville , Kentucky , USA.
Suzanne
S
Meeks
Brittney R
BR
Getz
Lauren S
LS
Hess
Irene M
IM
Kostiwa
Brian M
BM
Ludwin
James R
JR
Rodgers
Shruti N
SN
Shah
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D011580:Psychological Techniques / Q000193:education*; D011586:Psychology, Clinical / Q000193:education*
experiential learning; geropsychology training; mental health; nursing homes; research training