The Clinical Scholar Program: A Fulbright collaboration in Northern Thailand

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The Complementing Alliance for Research and Evidence-Based Practice (CARE) project was initiated in 2006 in northern Thailand to develop regional capacity for emphasizing evidence-based practice (EBP) in international health; 5 projects were initiated. In 2009, Making Evidence and EBP Consultations Accessible to Practitioners (MEECAP) was added to accelerate the uptake of EBP using a nurse clinician-instructor model. The Fulbright Senior Specialist program, initiated in 2001, provides two to six week grants to qualified scholars to work with colleagues in smaller or isolated non-United States institutions where placing a traditional Fulbright scholar is not feasible.</p> <p><strong>Approach:</strong> A Fulbright application submitted by the Director of Research at Boromrajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Lampang, Thailand utilizing the Clinical Scholar Program, a series of workshops for EB guideline development and implementation by nurse clinicians, requesting the program developer as the Fulbright Senior Specialist was approved. Based on the Clinical Scholar Model, three series of 6-day workshops were conducted in November-December, 2010. During the workshops, participants generated clinically relevant questions and searched for and evaluated primary quantitative and qualitative research studies, meta-analyses, and published guidelines. Scientific evidence was synthesized and recommendations were incorporated into clinical practice guidelines. Strategies for implementation, evaluation, and dissemination were presented and adapted to the local settings. During the final workshop, participants presented their work to colleagues.</p> <p><strong>Outcomes:</strong> Ninety nurse clinicians and faculty from 24 healthcare facilities and colleges of nursing attended the workshops. Preliminary work was completed for 39 evidence-based clinical practice guidelines addressing nurse-sensitive quality indicators. A website, www.guidelinesforall.org, was developed for ongoing communication of guideline work and free dissemination of completed guidelines in Thai language to nurses and faculty throughout Thailand. Implications for Nursing: An update of the clinical projects in northern Thailand and the collaborative model used by the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program will be presented.</p>