Networks to Improve Medical Decision Making

Research is an intrinsically collaborative enterprise with many funding agencies highlighting the importance of collaboration across diverse research teams to enrich science and practice. Creating formal collaborative networks involving individuals with various perspectives, e.g., methodologists, clinicians, applied researchers, patients and their family members, teachers and other stakeholders, can enrich medical decision making and improve patients’ outcomes. However, creating these networks and relationships can be challenging, especially for early career researchers or researchers looking for collaborative opportunities outside of their immediate research interests. Thus, this symposium aims to emphasize the importance of creating formal collaborative working relationships in this community and encourage the creation of collaborative networks across geographical regions, career stages and disciplines within the medical decision-making community.
Firstly, panelists, who are members of four diverse networks within the SMDM community, will share their experiences of collaboration. The panelists will highlight the networks’ aims and structures, stress their impact on medical decision making, and also outline associated challenges. More specifically, the panelists will present:

The aim and structure of their network
The origins and strengths of the network
How the network has improved medical decision making
The challenges associated with setting up and/or maintaining the network

Following this discussion, we will highlight techniques that act as barriers and facilitators to the development of connections within a large group setting. Attendees will then be invited to explore the room and implement these new strategies in an “academic speed dating” exercise.