Research versus practice in quality improvement? Understanding how we can bridge the gap

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Health Services Research
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• A significant gap exists between quality improvement (QI) researchers and implementers, hindering healthcare progress.
• This disconnect stems from differing incentives, methodologies, evidence priorities, and target audiences.
• The Salzburg Global Seminar convened diverse stakeholders to explore strategies for enhancing QI impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and describe the underlying causes of the researcher-implementer gap in quality improvement.
• To propose actionable suggestions for bridging this divide effectively.
• To enhance the generalizability and accelerate the spread of QI interventions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of discussions and insights from the Salzburg Global Seminar.
• Literature review on barriers and facilitators in quality improvement research and practice.
• Synthesis of perspectives from international researchers, policymakers, funders, and implementers.

Main Results:

• Key barriers identified include divergent goals, methodological preferences, and evidence hierarchies.
• Suggestions for bridging the gap focus on fostering collaboration, shared incentives, and integrated evidence approaches.
• Successful bridging can improve QI intervention generalizability and implementation speed.

Conclusions:

• Closing the researcher-implementer gap is essential for accelerating healthcare quality improvement.
• Enhanced collaboration and knowledge translation are vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals.
• Strengthening the link between QI research and practice will reduce avoidable harm in healthcare.