Preface

“The value of knowledge is truly realised when it shapes everyday practice”.

In healthcare, currently, there is an abundance of good ideas and promising innovations. Research evidence grows at a pace, offering fresh insights and better ways of working.

Yet too often, healthcare practice is fragmented, and improvements are inconsistent. Some practices are outdated, and innovations often stall. For many health professionals, there is a gap between research and reality.

While this gap is frustrating, it also points to a possibility. When new knowledge is systematically embedded into practice, improvements in patient care occur, services function efficiently, and health professionals lead meaningful change with confidence.

This book grew out of an enduring tension. As a clinician, manager and academic, I’ve been frustrated by the slow uptake of innovations and research evidence.  I have also been inspired by working with researchers and clinicians to create small but significant improvements. In response, I have synthesised a practical pathway, drawing on implementation science, behavioural theory, and systems thinking, to navigate the gap between research and reality. It is an implementation challenge that we can address.