Incorporating Research into Healthcare Decisions

Abstract

This chapter addresses the misalignment between clinical research and practice. The extent to which clinical research findings can be feasibly implemented in clinical settings is still not completely understood. Practical implementation barriers to the integration of research findings into clinical practice include the constantly expanding body of knowledge, lack of long-term follow-up results, and logistical hurdles. Theoretically, research studies—conducted to draw inferential conclusions about an entire population—are not designed for applicability to individuals. Also, because research trials are frequently designed to study diseases of interest, researchers statistically minimize the influence of individual differences within their samples. This practice directly contrasts that of physicians, who must consider individual patient characteristics before recommending a course of treatment. As such, research is not an obvious theoretical fit with the patient-centered care model. Evidence-based practice is said to bridge the research–practice gap. Clinicians who use evidence-based practice maintain a working knowledge of current research findings and incorporate findings into clinical decision-making according to the patient’s needs, values, and clinical presentation. This chapter provides concrete communication strategies for physicians who use evidence-based practice to discuss research findings with their patients.