Calling for international collaborative research in nursing, genetics and genomics: A discussion paper

There is an explosion in the numbers of nurse authors exploring new and exciting opportunities to understand genomic medicine because of international success on The Human Genome Project. Objectives The primary purpose of this paper is to spotlight and to promote collaborative interdisciplinary and international nursing research within genetics and genomics. Design Review of the literature. Data sources Research in nursing pertaining to genetics and genomics, policy statements, and opinion papers. Review methods Synthesis of the literature in four areas: genetic nursing research, genomic medicine, barriers to international collaboration, and elements that foster international collaboration. Results Genetics and genomic medicine have implications for virtually all diseases in all health care settings in developed and still developing nations. Research in nursing, genetics and genomics is scarce. There is a gap in nursing literature about how to address barriers to foster international collaboration. Conclusions The authors who have engaged in international collaboration offer a tentative road map for establishing and assessing the progress of research collaboration. New funding mechanisms to support international nursing research in this area are needed.