APO is proud to be again supporting the Evidence and Implementation Summit 2023. In this guest blog, Associate Professor Robyn Mildon, Professor Nick Sevdalis and Professor Aron Shlonsky explain the ‘know-do’ gap and its implications for policy and practice, and share why the upcoming Summit in Melbourne (and online) on 9-11 October is so sorely needed.
It surprises most people to learn that there is a yawning gap between what research shows is effective and what actually happens on the ground.
This gap has been most analysed in healthcare, where classic studies indicate a lag of 17 to 20 years before an evidence-based innovation is adopted into widespread clinical practice (more recent research still shows an average 15-year lag).
And the same problem exists across many sectors. Sadly, too much activity is not grounded in evidence and too little evidence makes it into practice or policy.
For policymakers and practitioners working with children and families, the gap is especially troubling. The critical period of child development is zero to five years – so a gap of 15 years equals three generations of children missing out on things we know could be helping them today and for their entire lives.
Bridging the gap
The biennial Evidence and Implementation Summit is one of the world’s largest expert gatherings focused on the ‘know-do’ gap and how we can bridge it.
A global marketplace of research, case-studies, debate and new ideas, the Summit focuses on the synthesis, generation, translation and implementation of evidence for better policy and practice.
Implementation science is central to these discussions. The systematic study of what works and what gets in the way of evidence-informed innovation is a relatively new science that provides methodical, intentional and analytical approaches to bridging the ‘know-do’ gap.
Over the past 30 years, implementation science has grown from the analysis of thousands of ‘failed’ evidence-based innovations. This rich source of learning has resulted in more comprehensive and scientific approaches – ‘best bets’, if you like – to implementing new practices, policies or processes.
A driving idea is that people in need are missing out. No-one can benefit from effective innovations unless they are implemented.
Reaching the summit
At the Evidence and Implementation Summit in October, more than 200 speakers will present world-leading thinking about evidence and its practical uptake. Challenges and advances will be addressed across health and mental health, family and social services, First Nations perspectives, leadership, international development and climate change.
Alongside many of the top speakers from our region (Australia, New Zealand and Asia), the Summit attracts an international expert line-up:
- Eric Barends, co-author of the book Evidence-based management: How to use evidence to make better organizational decisions – used in 80 universities worldwide
- The UK’s Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Isabelle Trowler, who will discuss steps taken to drive system-wide change to improve social care in England
- Canadian Professor Maureen Dobbins, whose work has: identified barriers and enablers to research being used; explored the information needs of public health decision-makers; and developed, implemented and evaluated a variety of knowledge translation strategies
- Healthcare implementation specialist and seasoned organisational leader, investigator, and project manager, Dr Bianca Albers
- Dr Vivian Tseng, President and CEO of the New York-based Foundation for Child Development, who will address the topic, “Meeting the moment: Democratising evidence for policy, practice, and the public”
- Former Obama Administration advisor and host of the GovInnovator podcast, Dr Andrew Feldman.
With growing inequality here and across the globe, it is critical we put in place policies, programs and practices that have the best chance of making a difference.
Associate Professor Robyn Mildon is an internationally recognised figure in the field of research translation and implementation science and program and policy evaluations in health, education and social services. She is the Founding CEO of the Centre for Evidence and Implementation – a global social purpose organisation with work across eight countries, as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University and a Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore.
Professor Nick Sevdalis is Visiting Professor and Academic Co-Director of the National University of Singapore’s Centre for Behavioural and Implementation Science Interventions (BISI). His prior appointments include Professor of Implementation Science and Patient Safety and Director of the Centre for Implementation Science at King’s College London, and in the Patient Safety Translational Research Centre at Imperial College London. Nick’s multidisciplinary research in implementation science, improvement science and applied psychology has resulted in more than 400 peer-reviewed publications
Professor Aron Shlonsky is Head of Social Work at Monash University and is known internationally for his work in child and youth services, particularly in the generation, synthesis and implementation of evidence to inform practice and policy. Prior appointments include Assistant Professor in Columbia University’s School of Social Work, the Factor-Inwentash Chair in Child Welfare at the University of Toronto and Professor of Evidence-Informed Practice at the University of Melbourne. Aron is also an Editor in Chief of Children and Youth Services Review.
Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.