How Implementation Science Bridges the Know-Do Gap
Through rigorous research and innovative strategies, implementation scientists work to advance healthcare practices around the world. From developing smoke-free housing policies that significantly reduce residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke to increasing cervical cancer screening rates among underserved populations, their efforts have a broad impact.
Despite these advancements, it takes an average of 17 years for research-based practices to be integrated into clinical settings, and many interventions still don’t reach their full potential. Nevertheless, professionals in implementation science are dedicated to bridging the “know-do” gap: the divide between research findings and real-world applications.
In this article, we explore the gap between understanding the “know” (the concepts surrounding an intervention) and the “do” (putting the knowledge into practice).
Understanding the Know-Do Gap
Implementation science serves two primary objectives:
- Generate knowledge that enhances our overall scientific understanding of healthcare.
- Create actionable insights that drive practical improvements in real-world settings.
While this relatively new field continues to evolve, a significant gap remains in translating research into effective application within communities and healthcare facilities. So, what is the know-do gap?
The know-do gap refers to the disconnect between evidence-based research and what is actually implemented in the communities that would benefit most from those interventions. This “gap” illustrates the challenges that the healthcare system faces when translating effective interventions into standardized care.
Factors Contributing to the Know-Do Gap
Several factors play a role in the gap between research and application:
- The complexity of research
Some research findings, like chronic disease management programs for diabetes or hypertension, are hard to put into practice. These programs require multiple stakeholders to understand factors like patients’ needs, community contexts and behavioral factors such as motivation and adherence to treatment plans. This complexity can hinder adoption of these programs in healthcare facilities and community settings, especially where resources and training are limited.
- Organizational barriers
Many healthcare facilities lack the necessary resources or infrastructure to support new interventions. For instance, a hospital may not have adequate staffing or funding to implement a new patient care protocol aimed at reducing readmissions.
- Lack of awareness or training
Some healthcare providers aren’t aware of the latest practices (or haven’t received training to implement certain interventions) that would better serve their patients.
How to Bridge the Know-Do Gap: 3 Strategies
Fortunately, there are several ways to bridge the knowing-doing gap between research and real-world application. Here are three strategies that implementation researchers often use to close the gap:
- Implementation Science Frameworks
Implementation science frameworks offer visual representations of theories and models designed to ease the transition from research to everyday practice. These frameworks help healthcare professionals and researchers design new interventions and evaluate their success.
Researchers have developed numerous frameworks to narrow the know-do gap, including:
- Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework
There are two key components to the KTA framework: knowledge creation and the action cycle. In the knowledge creation phase, researchers synthesize evidence from multiple studies to develop clear guidelines for interventions, such as identifying the most effective diabetes treatments across populations. These guidelines might outline management strategies, including treatment protocols for different stages of the disease.
The action cycle then applies this knowledge through steps like identifying problems, adapting interventions to specific contexts, assessing barriers, and evaluating outcomes.
- Quality Implementation Framework (QIF)
Developed in 2012 by Dr. Duncan Meyers, Dr. Joseph Durlak and Dr. Abraham Wandersman, the QIF offers a step-by-step guide for improving how evidence-based practices are implemented. It focuses on the “how-to” of intervention application and addresses potential challenges, ensuring a more effective implementation. Phases of this framework include assessing context and readiness, developing clear implementation plans, providing ongoing support during implementation and refining processes based on feedback.
- Stakeholder Engagement
Another way to bridge the know-do gap is to engage stakeholders like healthcare providers, community members and policymakers early on in — and throughout — the intervention process. Stakeholders provide valuable insights that can shape planning and ensure smoother implementation. When stakeholders are involved from the beginning, they’re more likely to support and champion the intervention.
- Training and Support
Providing adequate training ensures that individuals responsible for implementing practices in real-world settings are well-equipped for success. Several approaches can facilitate continuous support before, during and after the implementation process:
- Comprehensive training
This training should include not only how to perform interventions but also why those interventions are important. Understanding the rationale behind an intervention helps the entire implementation team appreciate the value and application of the practice.
- Ongoing support
After implementing a new method or practice, continue to provide written resources, mentorships, check-ins and workshops. This support helps navigate potential challenges and ensures that individuals can perform their duties accurately.
Bridge the Gap with a Graduate Certificate From UF
With a background in implementation science, you could join a team of like-minded individuals dedicated to closing the know-do gap between research and practice. Whether you’re interested in the analytical side of the industry or you’re ready to bridge theory and application, the University of Florida’s online Graduate Certificate in Implementation Science equips you with the knowledge needed to succeed.
In just 11 credit hours — as little as two semesters — you can earn your graduate certificate and stand out in your career. Whether you’re new to the field or enhancing your expertise for a senior role, our fully online courses offer competitive tuition rates with start dates in both the fall and spring semesters.
We look forward to answering any questions you may have and hope to see your application for next semester!
Sources:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3241518/
https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13012-014-0172-2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22644083/