Caring International Research Collaborative (CIRC) consists of several research groups (known as “sharing groups”) which focus all research efforts toward one aspect of caring. Each group is a collection of scientists, direct care providers, educators, and administrators.
The “sharing group” structure of CIRC - built on a concept proposed by Thomas Kuhn, professor of philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” (1962) - recognizes that science advances quickly and more effectively when scientists share what they have learned. Routine sharing occurs among the sharing groups within CIRC in regard to their respective research findings.
Having ongoing conversations among the groups results in a deeper understanding of how the data informs operations of healthcare and next steps for research. Theory (a hunch) is what guides the conversation and interpretation of the data. When a theory is tested it may be found to be correct, partially correct, or incorrect.
One aim of the sharing group model is to reveal all of the variables that may influence outcomes of patient care (also known as a “specified model”). Models that are not “specified” are missing variables, thus, there is error in the findings of a study using such a model. Erroneous data leads to erroneous conclusions and decisions.
Each sharing group is at a different level of maturity, and new sharing groups are continually forming. The Caring sharing group is the most mature. As each sharing group matures, it may engage with another sharing group. For example, the Caring group may engage with the Model of Care group to understand which model of care promotes the most caring for patients.