Connecting with clinicians: opportunities to strengthen rehabilitation research

This article examines the distinctive opportunities and challenges involved in connecting with clinicians to strengthen rehabilitation research.

The relevant literature on various factors that link researchers and clinicians is summarized and discussed.

Links between researchers and clinicians are demonstrated by evidence-based practice, common conceptual background and the development of research capacity. Sustainable partnerships can evolve throughout the research process by using various enduring strategies such as experts' committee as well as novel approaches like communities of practice.

This paper reflects the conviction that reducing the gap between research and clinical practice will be facilitated by implementing partnerships originating from both researchers and clinicians.