Center for Research & Evaluation

The healthcare environment is changing at an unprecedented rate. An explosion of nursing knowledge has driven many innovative advances in patient care. Thanks to biomedical research advances, many patients are living longer and are enjoying a better quality of life. And some of the most exciting nursing research is taking place at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing.

The University of Pittsburgh is recognized as a major nursing research center and has attracted national, state and local recognition for its commitment to high quality, innovative research. Ranked fifth among schools of nursing in the amount of funding and number of grants received from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing has been designated a Research Intensive Environment by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

The School of Nursing is engaged in both clinical and basic science research and aims to provide a scientific basis for the care of individuals across the life span, as well as to prepare and develop junior investigators in their research endeavors. To help meet the School's growing commitment to research, the Center for Research & Evaluation (CRE) was established in the Fall of 1987. Not only does the School of Nursing have a full complement of biomedical and data laboratories stocked with state-of-the-art equipment, the CRE is staffed with statisticians, grants administrators and clerical personnel.

Our researchers are addressing some of the most challenging issues facing today's health care practitioners. The CRE supports the following areas of research:

• Behavioral management of chronic disorders including adherence, self-management, technology, and prevention activities
• Patient management in critical care including communication, recovery, and end of life care
• Consumer informatics including education, care management, usability, and health literacy
• Genetics applications in nursing care focusing on molecular genetics and psychosocial implications
• Technology for nurses and patients to improve care

The CRE support services include the following:

1. Design and consultation for analysis of data, as well as, training in design and data management
2. Scientific review of proposals
3. Proposal packaging
4. Maintenance and dissemination of information on funding, conference and research development and training opportunities
5. Faculty and doctoral student development in research methodology
6. Consultation on research program development