WHAT WE DO
At the Graduate School of Nursing, research is explicitly designed to support Air Force, Army, and Navy priorities by teaching doctoral students how to design, and conduct research and evidenced-based practice projects and supporting faculty in the conduct of research.
Our goals are two-fold: First we strive to ensure that our students understand the similarities and differences between generating new knowledge and translating that knowledge into clinical practice. They take these skills with them as they continue their military and professional careers whether their path involves developing and maintaining a program of research or making key changes designed to improve the quality of patient care and readiness. Second, we provide an environment in which faculty and staff can conduct research and evidenced-based practice projects to improve readiness while improving performance in academic and clinical settings.
FACULTY RESEARCH
Faculty members pursue an array of important research activities related to military health and readiness. Examples of current research projects include evaluating battlefield acupuncture for the treatment of low back pain, the use of palliative care for communication skills for registered nurses, and the role of IV ketamine on fear memory and brain activation. A military readiness study in active duty service women is measuring the impact of the availability of water and basic sanitation on hygiene practices in urogenital health. Evidence based practice research includes a study to assess strategies to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting, and a project that seeks to create, translate and implement evidence into Air Force healthcare.
completed student scholarship
GSN Research and evidenced based practice projects are focused in five primary areas:
Behavioral Health
The goal of behavioral health research and evidenced-based practice projects is to improve the quality of life and performance of service members. Studies and projects conducted in this area include reducing the number of mental health disorders in Active Duty Service members, increasing quality of life, and expanding provider knowledge and their use of standardized, evidenced-based guidelines.
Improving Clinical Performance
The goal of this focus area is to evaluate the care our Service members and their beneficiaries receive in the Military Health System. Continuous process improvement is the goal so that our healthcare system consistently delivers the highest possible quality of care to our community so that individuals can reach and maintain the highest state of readiness. We do this by educating providers and conducting research and evidenced-based practice projects on disease prevention and management, pain management, and medication use and abuse.
Improving Patient Safety and Clinical Practice
Patient safety is a priority across the health systems of the VA and DOD. Studies and projects that focus on improving patient safety and clinical practice include evaluating competencies on different high risk procedures, implementing standardized processes for communicating and approaching patient care, increasing the knowledge, confidence, and overall satisfaction of our patients, and increasing and maintaining the competence of our providers.
Medical Readiness
Studies and projects that improve the readiness and retention of our Service members is the scholarship priority in the GSN. Examples of some of the studies and projects that seek to improve medical readiness include improving wellness, enhancing performance, improving sleep quality, reducing opioid use for chronic pain and actively addressing mild traumatic brain injury and supporting brain recovery.
Women’s Health
Generating research and evidence based practices that optimize care outcomes for women is a priority in the GSN. Several studies and projects have focused on understanding health and illness related to sex and gender specific issues including contraceptive education and training, perinatal care and outcomes, newborn care and issues, and hygiene and urogenital health.
fAYE GLENN ABDELLAH CENTER FOR MILITARY AND FEDERAL HEALTH RESEARCH
Established in 2008, the Faye Glenn Abdellah Center for Military and Federal Health Research creates a dynamic research environment that facilitates faculty and student research and scholarship. It supports both new and experienced scientists, increases extramural research funding, fosters transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary research, increases peer-reviewed publications, and develops and matures programs of research that are relevant to military and federal health.
Faye Glenn Abdellah Center team members sponsor meetings and work groups that are designed to generate a rich exchange of ideas and propel nursing science. Collectively, nurse scientists discuss potential research topics and collaborations, sharpen research methods, hone grant applications, constructively critique each other’s work, share research results, and relate research findings to clinical practice, education, management, policy, and/or military doctrine.
Faculty and students are supported in their research and scholarship endeavors by services offered through the Faye Glenn Center for Military and Federal Health Research.