Dissemination

At the conclusion of this module, participants will be able to:

• • Recognize the importance of practice project dissemination.
  • Identify venues for practice project dissemination.
  • Determine initial steps for dissemination modalities. 
  • Demonstrate understanding of the scope of dissemination. 
  • Name the components of the practice project abstract.

Dissemination in the context of Practice Projects- Dissemination of practice project outcomes is the most important aspect of completing the project and the project team should ensure the integrity and quality of the information. Foremost creating a specific plan for dissemination at the beginning of the project helps maintain a clear trajectory for the project. At the culmination of the academic process, the student presents for the program and most often presents results for the project site. The scholarly presentation of the outcomes at major conferences or within journals is also an essential step to share evidence-based knowledge with the general public and other scholarly professionals. As a novice presenter, it is an initial and critical progression to development as a recognized scholar. 

The dissemination of completed projects at conferences can be in a formal venue or can be done in a more informal setting. Often the dissemination originates at a local or state level and then progresses to regional, national, and international venues. Informal venues include presentations at local organizational committee or board meetings. All of the dissemination involves support and contributions from the entire project team. Not only the project team, but the academic or professional organization typically provides financial support for the dispersal of new knowledge and growth of new scholars.  

The project champion requires sustained motivation, encouragement, and collaboration from the mentor, content expert, and chairperson in order to ascertain the most appropriate modality for meaningful dissemination. More experienced mentors are excellent resources for pinpointing appropriate audience and venues such as academic conferences, research conferences, industry conferences, and specific peer-reviewed journals or books. 

Modalities for dissemination-There are numerous modalities for dissemination of practice project outcomes. One of the initial steps for determining the appropriate modality is to first ascertain the audience as well as the precise goal to achieve optimum exposure. 

A good beginning for a novice is to start with submitting an abstract for either poster or podium presentation at a conference centered on the content area. Major associations and professional organizations distribute calls for abstracts prior to their major annual conferences. Abstracts are generally limited to 250-400 words although some organizations may increase that number. Uncompleted projects are frequently eligible for poster presentations if results are available at the time of presentation. Submissions for podium presentations must include all results at the time of initial submission.

Steps for Abstract Submission:

1. Identify the audience.
2. Decide poster or podium?
3. Determine appropriate venue
4. Components of the abstract (250-400 words per guidelines):
   • Rationale/Background
   • Purpose
   • Theoretical Framework
   • Method and Design
   • Data Results
   • Implications/Conclusions/Recommendations
     1. After acceptance, prepare poster or podium presentation according to guidelines provided

Aside from submitting abstracts, developing scholars are encouraged to disseminate their work in peer-reviewed journals. Detailed guidelines and requirements are provided by individual journals. Further there are opportunities to share project results in editorials, policy briefs, blogs, and in today’s environment, web-based technologies have become extremely popular.  

                            Examples

• • • Abstract
    • Poster presentation
    • Podium Presentations
    • Symposium
    • Peer-reviewed journals
    • Editorials
    • Policy briefs
    • Blogs
    • Web-based technologies

Suggested readings
https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/developmentresources/tutorials/dissemination
https://www.imls.gov/about-us/policy-notices/guidelines-information-dissemination
 
Reference
 Van Hoof, T. J. & Meehan, T. P. (2011). Integrating essential components of quality improvement into a new paradigm for continuing education. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 31(3), 207–214.
 Zaccagnini, M. & White, K. (2017). The Doctor of Nursing practice essentials: A new model for advanced practice nursing. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett