If you don't measure it, you won't improve it: The advancement of recreational therapy through collaborative research

Authors

  • Jessie L. Bennett, PhD, CTRS
  • Jennifer Ann Piatt, PhD, CTRS
  • Jasmine Townsend, PhD, CTRS
  • Jenn Taylor, MS, CTRS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2017.0136

Keywords:

collaboration, evidence-based practice, research

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the impact collaboration between recreational therapy (RT) researchers and practitioners can have on clinical outcomes and evidence-based practice. Although collaboration is not a new concept, few individuals develop partnerships designed to measure the clinical outcomes associated with RT. The primary reason collaborations are not developed is due to misconceptions from both the researcher and the practitioner on how the collaborative research process impacts direct client care. Furthermore, budget cuts, lack of time, and limited resources can make it challenging for successful collaborations to develop. This article will define collaboration, identify how collaborative partnerships advance the development of clinical outcomes, describe common challenges associated with successful collaborations between practitioners and researchers, and provide the seven steps used to accomplish a successful collaboration.

Author Biographies

Jessie L. Bennett, PhD, CTRS

Department of Recreation Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire

Jennifer Ann Piatt, PhD, CTRS

Indiana University, Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, Bloomington, Indiana

Jasmine Townsend, PhD, CTRS

Clemson University, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson, South Carolina

Jenn Taylor, MS, CTRS

Indiana University, Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, Bloomington, Indiana

References

Savell K, Huston A, Malkin MJ: Collaborative research: Bridging the gap between practitioners and researchers/ educators. In: Malkin MJ, Howe CZ, eds. Research in Therapeutic Recreation: Concepts and Methods. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc, 1993; 77-96.

McCormick BP, Lee Y: Research into practice: Building knowledge through empirical practice. In: Stumbo NJ, ed. Professional Issues in Therapeutic Recreation: On Competence and Outcomes. Champaign, IL: Sagamore, 2001.

McCormick BP, Lee Y, Van Puymbroeck M: Research in practice: Building knowledge through empirical practice. In: Stumbo NJ, ed. Professional Issues in Therapeutic Recreation: On Competence and Outcomes. 2nd ed. Champaign, IL: Sagamore, 2009.

Brooten D, Youngblut JM, Hannan J, et al.: The impact of interprofessional collaboration on the effectiveness, significance, and future of advanced practice registered nurses. Nurs Clin North Am. 2012; 47: 283-294.

Naylor MD: Viewpoint: interprofessional collaboration and the future of health care. American Nurse Today. 2011; 6(6). Available at http://www.americannursetoday.com/viewpoint-interprofessional-collaboration-and-the-future-ofhealth-care/.

Hoshmand LT, Polkinghorne DE: Redefining the science-practice relationship and professional training. Am Psychol. 1992; 47(1): 55-66.

Henderson KA, Presley J, Bialeschki DM: Theory in recreation and leisure research: Reflections from the editors. Leisure Sci. 2004; 26(4): 411-425.

Babbie E: The Practice of Social Research. 10th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2004.

Stumbo NJ: The importance of evidence-based practice in therapeutic recreation. In: Stumbo NJ, ed. Client Outcomes in Therapeutic Recreation Services. State College, PA: Venture, 2003: 25-48.

Mattessich PW, Monsey BR: Collaboration: What Makes It Work. A Review of Research Literature on Factors Influencing Successful Collaboration. St. Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 1992.

Katz JS, Martin BR: What is research collaboration? Res Policy. 1997; 26(1):1-18.

Wondolleck JM, Yaffee SL: Making Collaboration Work: Lessons from Innovation in Natural Resource Management. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2000.

Curtin M, Jaramazovic E: Occupational therapists’ views and perceptions of evidence-based practice. Br J Occup The. 2001; 64(5): 214-222.

Borckardt JJ, Nash MR: How practitioners (and others) can make scientifically viable contributions to clinical-outcome research using the single-case time-series design. Int J Clin Exp Hypnosis. 2002; 50(2): 114-148.

Block P: Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise used. 3rd ed. San Fancisco, CA: Pfeiffer, 2011.

Berger R: EBP practitioners in search of evidence. J Social Work. 2010; 10(2): 175-191.

Selin S, Chavez D: Developing a collaborative model for environmental planning and management. Environ Manage. 1995; 19(2): 189-195.

Sturtevant V: Social Science to Improve Fuels Management: A Synthesis of Research on Collaboration. North Central Forest Experiment Station, Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture; 2005.

Pipkin J, Doerksen H: Collaboration in Natural Resource Management: Selected Case Studies. Washington, DC: US Department of the Interior, 2000.

Daniels SE, Walker GB: Working Through Environmental Conflict: The Collaborative Learning Approach. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2001.

Ryan RD: A guide for developing local interagency linkage teams. Step Six: Follow Up and Follow Through 2009; Available at http://literacy.kent.edu/CommonGood/Guide/stepsix.html. Accessed October 15, 2011.

Cook T, Campbell D: Quasi-Experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1979.

Downloads

Published

07/01/2017

How to Cite

Bennett, PhD, CTRS, J. L., Piatt, PhD, CTRS, J. A., Townsend, PhD, CTRS, J., & Taylor, MS, CTRS, J. (2017). If you don’t measure it, you won’t improve it: The advancement of recreational therapy through collaborative research. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 16(3), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2017.0136

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2017): Summer

Section

Articles

License

Copyright 2000-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC 
All Rights Reserved

Most read articles by the same author(s)