Living Lab Dementia: Mixed-methods process evaluation of a feasibility study of an academic-practice partnership in German long-term dementia care

TL;DR

This study evaluates a partnership between researchers and dementia care professionals in Germany to improve evidence-based care through joint research projects.

Contribution

The study introduces and evaluates a structured academic-practice partnership model called the Living Lab Dementia in the German healthcare context.

Findings

Collaboration between care professionals and researchers in a Living Lab is feasible.

Joint research projects are an important mechanism for knowledge circulation in dementia care.

Role preparation for Linking Pins is essential to manage responsibilities and involve stakeholders.

Abstract

Structured partnerships between academia and nursing practice are likely to promote evidence-based practice and the involvement of healthcare professionals and patients in research. However, systematic evaluations of these partnerships are lacking. Therefore, we adapted the Limburg Living Lab, an academic-practice partnership, and carried out a feasibility study in German long-term dementia care. The three components of the Living Lab Dementia are Linking Pins (dyads of care professionals and researchers), facility-specific teams, and research teams. In this process evaluation, we examined the degree of implementation, the mechanisms of impact, and implementation barriers and facilitators.

This convergent mixed-methods process evaluation was based on recommendations from the UK Medical Research Council framework and guided by a logic model. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires and process documents (n = 195) and analysed descriptively. Qualitative data were gathered through individual interviews and focus groups with participants of the Living Lab Dementia (n = 32) and analysed using content analysis. Data were integrated by merging and comparing the two data sets.

Facility-specific teams and Linking Pins were implemented in four care facilities. Supported by facility staff, they identified research topics and carried out joint research projects to generate new knowledge on dementia care. People with dementia advised these projects through an external working group. The Linking Pins were involved substantially in all Living Lab activities, but perceived their roles as being demanding, given their numerous responsibilities. Implementation barriers included cultural differences between research and practice, and staff turnover. Facilitators were related to interpersonal relationships and structured exchange formats.

This study concludes that collaboration between care professionals and researchers in a Living Lab is feasible, and joint research projects are an important mechanism for knowledge circulation. The Linking Pins require thorough role preparation to fulfil the numerous requirements and to involve all interest-holders. Facility-specific teams can be a valuable resource for involving care professionals in joint projects. These findings provide a foundation for future implementation efforts. Further research might focus on Living Lab outcomes and explore the role of the research team, as we were unable to investigate this component.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-026-07164-9.

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