Strengthening Inter- and Intraprofessional Collaborations to Advance Biobehavioral Symptom Science.

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to discuss barriers and potential solutions for strengthening inter- and intraprofessional collaborations that will advance biobehavioral symptom science. General and team-based barriers and solutions for advancing biobehavioral symptom science are reviewed with an exemplar discussion that is guided by Carper's patterns of knowing. Strategic partnerships across nursing associations and organization can help to build collaborations that are focused on symptom science in a specific population, disease, or setting. Additional strategies to build collaborations include supporting interprofessional workgroups, data sharing, and dissemination of research findings across associations. Prioritization of funding opportunities and resources devoted to building inter- and intraprofessional collaborations focused on advancing biobehavioral symptom science will benefit nursing science, the membership, and patients and families. Nursing associations and organizations can play an integral role in building inter- and intraprofessional teams dedicated to advancing biobehavioral symptom science via multiple ways of knowing that nurses use to generate new knowledge, develop innovations, and apply them in practice.