Connecting research discovery with care delivery in dementia: the development of the Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia

• Published in: Clinical interventions in aging Vol. 7; pp. 509 - 516
• Main Authors: Boustani, Malaz A, Frame, Amie, Munger, Stephanie, Healey, Patrick, Westlund, Jessie, Farlow, Martin, Hake, Ann, Austrom, Mary Guerriero, Shepard, Polly, Bubp, Corby, Azar, Jose, Nazir, Arif, Adams, Nadia, Campbell, Noll L, Chehresa, Azita, Dexter, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01-01-2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Associations, institutions, etc; Biomedical Research - organization & administration; cognitive impairment; Collaboration; Community Participation - methods; community research; complex adaptive system; Consumer Health Information - methods; Cooperative Behavior; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Dementia; Dementia - physiopathology; Health care reform; Humans; Indiana; Internet - organization & administration; Interprofessional Relations; network; Original Research; Social Support; System theory; Translational Medical Research; translational research; Indiana; Indianapolis Indiana; community research; cognitive impairment; translational research; complex adaptive system
• ISSN: 1178-1998; 1176-9092; 1178-1998
• DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S36078

The US Institute of Medicine has recommended an integrated, locally sensitive collaboration among the various members of the community, health care systems, and research organizations to improve dementia care and dementia research.
Using complex adaptive system theory and reflective adaptive process, we developed a professional network called the "Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia" (IDND). The IDND facilitates effective and sustainable interactions among a local and diverse group of dementia researchers, clinical providers, and community advocates interested in improving care for dementia patients in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The IDND was established in February 2006 and now includes more than 250 members from more than 30 local (central Indiana) organizations representing 20 disciplines. The network uses two types of communication to connect its members. The first is a 2-hour face-to-face bimonthly meeting open to all members. The second is a web-based resource center (http://www.indydiscoverynetwork.org ). To date, the network has: (1) accomplished the development of a network website with an annual average of 12,711 hits per day; (2) produced clinical tools such as the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor and the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale; (3) translated and implemented the collaborative dementia care model into two local health care systems; (4) created web-based tracking software, the Enhanced Medical Record for Aging Brain Care (eMR-ABC), to support care coordination for patients with dementia; (5) received more than USD$24 million in funding for members for dementia-related research studies; and (6) adopted a new group-based problem-solving process called the "IDND consultancy round."
A local interdisciplinary "think-tank" network focused on dementia that promotes collaboration in research projects, educational initiatives, and quality improvement efforts that meet the local research, clinical, and community needs relevant to dementia care has been built.