Unifying Research and Practice in Health Education: Analysis and Comparison of Two Consensus Conferences

Abstract

A gap exists in professional priorities between research and practice in health education. The focal point of previous publications on this reported gap centers on varying interpretations of and experience with applied research or with practice-based research. Concurrently, many professional organizations and private foundations are calling for increased collaboration between researchers and practitioners to more clearly establish research agendas related to the work of health education, more effectively carry out this work, and disseminate findings. This article compares results of two consensus conferences that were designed to establish a common research agenda and create appropriate opportunities to link research and practice. General recommendations are made to effectively bridge the gap between research and practice.