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Published on: September 19, 2019
Research-practice gaps in child mental health
John D McLENNAN1, C Nadine Wathen1, Harriet L MacMILLAN1
1Dr. McLennan is with the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Drs. Wathen, MacMillan, and Lavis are with McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
This study introduces a framework to classify research-practice gaps in child mental health interventions, aiming to improve evidence-informed practice and policy discussions. It identifies four gap types to guide future strategies.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Health Policy
Background:
- Research-practice gaps hinder the effective implementation of evidence-informed interventions in child mental health.
- Understanding these gaps is crucial for improving child mental health outcomes.
- Current discourse lacks a clear classification system for these discrepancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a framework for classifying research-practice gaps in child mental health.
- To enhance clarity and precision in discussions regarding evidence-informed practice and policy.
- To provide a structured approach for addressing implementation challenges.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on intervention effectiveness, uptake patterns, and evidence-informed practice.
- Development of a classification framework based on synthesized research findings.
- Inclusion of child mental health examples to illustrate each gap type.
Main Results:
- Four categories of research-practice gaps were identified:
- 1. Failure to implement effective interventions.
- 2. Implementation of harmful interventions.
- 3. Implementation of interventions with no demonstrated effect.
- 4. Interventions lacking rigorous evaluation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework can guide efforts to reduce research-practice gaps in child mental health.
- Addressing different types of gaps will necessitate a diverse range of strategic approaches.
- This classification aims to foster more targeted and effective interventions.
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