“I object!” overcoming obstacles between organizational researchers and legal advisors

Abstract

There are unique obstacles that face researchers when a health intervention has full endorsement of senior leadership. Full endorsement results in the availability of all organizational resources, which often include experts in an array of disciplines. With these resources come high expectations, strict timelines, competing goals, and differing concerns that may lead to unforeseen deviations to the initial intervention strategy. We have found that one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in this process is attaining the intervention endorsement from the legal advisor. Thus, this chapter will focus on the communication obstacles encountered between organizational researchers and legal advisors. The lessons learned involve the necessity for a better understanding of the legal advisors’ goals and common legal issues.