Disconnection between research and health services worlds

The old adage “form follows function” is poorly reflected in the production and use of health research. The research world favours grant acquisition and academic publication over knowledge synthesis and engagement with the health service.2 Researcher to researcher communication about the next study (“more research is needed”) is well organised and all too common;3 4 researcher to practitioner dialogue about implementing findings (“actionable messages”) is poorly organised and all too rare.5

Structures and incentives in the health system do not fare much better. The governance, organisation, and delivery of services reward consensus more than use of research; coordination with stakeholders generally trumps collaboration with researchers; and strategic positioning triumphs over decision making informed by research.6 Indeed, research is often seen as the opposite of action, not the antidote for ignorance.

Exceptions to these generalisations exist—the rise of research based guidance organisations such …