Clinical research: The potential of practice development

Research and development are strategic initiatives that, when built into modern practice settings, help to create a culture in which people have the potential to promote best practice. It is argued that the potential of practice development (PD) as a means of researching contemporary clinical practice is largely underestimated by mainstream scientists. PD, as part of a research design, is discussed in detail from the perspectives of research in the critical paradigm, participatory world views and action research. Fundamental components of PD such as facilitation, team building, practice projects and ethical comportment within a structure of a research design or proposal are discussed and examples from current studies are given.