Conducting interdisciplinary research to promote healthy and safe employment in health care: promises and pitfalls

Public Health Rep. 2004 Jan-Feb;119(1):60-72. doi: 10.1177/003335490411900112.

Abstract

Due to the complexity of human health, emphasis is increasingly being placed on the need for and conduct of multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary health research. Yet many academic and research organizations--and the discipline-specific associations and journals--may not yet be prepared to adopt changes necessary to optimally support interdisciplinary work. This article presents an ongoing interdisciplinary research project's efforts to investigate mechanisms and pathways that lead to occupational health disparities among healthcare workers. It describes the promises and pitfalls encountered during the research,and outlines effective strategies that emerged as a result. Lessons learned include: conflict resolution regarding theoretical and methodological differences; establishing a sense of intellectual ownership of the research, as well as guidelines for multiple authorship; and development and utilization of protocols, communication systems, and tools. This experience suggests a need for the establishment of supportive structures and processes to promote successful interdisciplinary research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Authorship
  • Bibliometrics
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Epidemiology
  • Faculty, Medical*
  • Group Processes
  • Health Personnel
  • Health Services Research / methods
  • Health Services Research / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Massachusetts
  • Occupational Health
  • Psychology, Social
  • Research / organization & administration*
  • Research Design
  • Social Sciences
  • Universities / organization & administration*