Collaborative Advantage in Action: Building a Virtual Home for InspireNet & Developing e-Communities of Practice

Purpose

Over the next 3-4 years the collaboration between eHealth Strategy Office and InspireNet will develop capacity for nursing health services research in B.C. through activities that will establish and nurture an innovative and growing information and communication technology (ICT)  platform, based on the electronic community of practice (eCoP) model. The aim is to create a ‘virtual home’ that, in combination with face-to-face interaction, provides an environment in which learning, collaboration and innovation can thrive.

Overview

Our role in the evaluation of InspireNet includes:

1. providing developmental expert advice on how best to achieve successful, active and sustainable eCoPs to support the goals of InspireNet
2. providing consultation to guide evaluation of eCoPs toward the achievement of InspireNet’s goals.

Our goal is to facilitate the growth of the InspireNet eCoPs and ensure that they support the network to its fullest potential and ultimately become self-sustaining communities. Our evaluation framework will be multi-pronged, evaluating elements that are key to eCoP formation and sustainability. The eCoPs, called Action Teams, will be evaluated according to the following criteria: change management & engagement; productivity; increased capacity building; sustainability; and adoption of technology.

Highlights

• Developing and sustaining collaborative advantage through facilitation of communication and cooperation between nursing health services researchers.
• Accelerating the translation of best practices from research into routine nursing practices.
• Engaging and attracting nurse leaders and trainees to actively participate in nursing health services research through collaboration and mentoring.
• Disseminating the body of research and knowledge in B.C. to other provincial, national, and international partners and build partnerships for mutual learning and synergy.

Project Partners

There are many partners involved with the InspireNet project, including its devoted membership. Among the management leaders that we work with primarily on the Evaluation Coordinating Team include:

• Noreen Frisch, Director, School of Nursing, University of Victoria. Academic co-leader of InspireNet.
• Grace Mickelson, Corporate Director, Academic Development, Provincial Health Services Authority. Health Services co-leader of InspireNet.
• Pat Atherton, Project Manager, InspireNet.

Final Report

Read about the lessons learned, and the process and overall impact of using the electronic platform for research facilitation here.

Contact

For more information, please contact: Jennifer Cordeiro

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