Stimulating research thinking: the case for mini-research.

1. Nursing faculty of Tel Aviv University developed a tool to improve care in geropsychiatric units. This resulted in the establishment of a national "forum" of geropsychiatric nurse practitioners, administrators, and educators. The forum conducts study days, publishes a journal, and encourages research activities. 2. A major achievement of the forum was the organization of more than 15 mini-research groups of grass-roots nurses guided by an academic adviser. The groups examined nursing interventions, such as dolls as therapy, and specific patient care problems, such as violence, interpersonal relationships among patients, and needs of families. 3. The meetings and mini-research have had a positive impact on quality of patient care, increased family involvement, enhanced self-image of personnel, new ways of thinking, and a model for cooperation between service and academia.