The significance of the relationship between a discipline and its practice

In this paper, it is argued that the absence of conceptual consensus across the university and its sectors is largely responsible for the growing gap between the goals of the discipline and its practice. Both discipline and practice are defined, their symbiotic relationship explored, and specific strategies proposed, to enhance the development of the profession. In particular, the need for a shared conceptual framework which would transcend university and service structures to promote an academic practice is examined in addition to the benefits of instituting theoretically based daily rounds and journal club in the practice setting.