Addressing the research-practice gap in healthcare management

Recently, renewed attention has been drawn to the gap between research and practice in disciplines within schools of public health. This article addresses the research-practice gap within healthcare management, a key discipline in schools of public health. Barriers and solutions are presented across four stages for converting research to practice-discovery, translation, dissemination, and change. Foremost barriers include low credibility of academic research, inadequate research dissemination, neglect of practitioner concerns, and lack of external pressures for adopting researched practices. Key solutions include educating practitioners about research, collaborative studies with practitioners, adapting research to practitioner needs, and holding organizations accountable for adopting evidence-based change.