So much research evidence, so little dissemination and uptake: Mixing the useful with the pleasing

To the continuing consternation of many health scientists, their best research results, the fruits of much caring toil and labour, often appear to remain unused by health clinicians and policy decision-makers. Despite the volumes of research evidence available, relatively little is disseminated and taken up or applied in practice. These dissemination and uptake problems are neither new nor unique. The literature from many disciplines is replete with examples of new research findings not being widely used in decision-making, sometimes for decades or more. The problem, however, has been noticed more acutely in the health disciplines in the previous decade with the widespread adoption of “evidence-based” approaches, and with the ensuing concern that health practices and policies should be based on the best research evidence available.