BRIDGING THE CLINICAL-RESEARCH GAP THROUGH NURSING COLLABORATION

The process of conducting research protocols on clinical psychiatric u nits presents many challenges for research and clinical staff alike, c hallenges that are especially daunting when the clinical psychiatric u nit is not designed for or dedicated to research. This article describ es an attempt to bridge the gap between clinical and research needs th rough nursing collaboration, focusing on the specific issue of managin g treatment-resistant psychotic patients in a neuroleptic-free state b efore trial on clozapine. It suggests that applying research methods t o the process of research itself is as necessary as applying them to t he specific protocols conducted within it. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. Saunders Company