Exploring stakeholders’ perspectives on the adaptation of the Living Lab approach to dementia care: A qualitative study

Abstract

Collaborative research can promote knowledge translation and help to link care practice and research. Academic-practice partnerships enable joint research projects in collaboration between care professionals, researchers, patients, and other stakeholders. This qualitative study was conducted during the adaptation phase of the Living Lab Dementia, an academic-practice partnership for collaborative research on long-term dementia care. The aim was to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on linking care practice and research in a sustainable, research-focused partnership. Data were collected in fifteen qualitative interviews with representatives from three stakeholder groups: nursing care professionals, people with dementia, and nursing researchers. Thematic Framework Analysis resulted in five themes: (1) Access, (2) Expectations, (3) Shaping the collaboration, (4) Linking Pins, and (5) Participation. The findings suggest that care professionals expect support in implementing research results into practice. Researchers should take the lead in shaping the collaboration and create opportunities for stakeholders to get involved.