Chapter 9<BR> Bridging the Academic/Practice Gap in Gerontology and Geriatrics<BR> Mapping a Route to Mutual Success

Translating Research into Practice in Nursing Homes: Can We Close the Gap?

“…Sometimes called community-based participatory research, this partnership approach typically starts with identifi cation of a research topic of interest to the community -in this case, NH staff and residents ( Community Based Partnerships for Health, 2011 ). In this way , it stands in contrast to the usual practice of studying topics researchers believe should be of interest to providers ( Applebaum & Leek, 2008 ).…”

Paradigms in the Gerontology Classroom: Connections and Challenges to Learning

“…Clearly the field has been engaged in development of scientific knowledge about aging. However, others primarily recognize in gerontology an emerging professional field, training practitioners who work with the growing population of older adults (Applebaum & Leek, 2008;Maiden, Horowitz, & Howe, 2010).…”

Integrating Education, Research, and Practice in Gerontological Social Work: Lessons Learned From the Reclaiming Joy Peer Support Program

“…However, the increasing emphasis on using EBPs in practice settings has encouraged researchers in gerontology, social work, nursing, psychotherapy, education, and many other fields to not only acknowledge that their research may not be used by practitioners, but to also search for ways to reduce the divide (Henderson, MacKay, & Peterson-Badali, 2006;Hirschkorn & Geelan, 2008;Parrish, 2014;Petrucci & Quinlan, 2007;Robinson, 2014). For gerontologists in particular, this is a critical issue in light of the need to develop and implement programs that meet the diverse needs of the baby boomers (Applebaum & Leek, 2008). It has been posited that the research-to-practice gap stems in part from the different contexts and priorities that govern the work of researchers and practitioners, sometimes referred to as the two communities theory (Caplan, 1979;Wingens, 1990).…”

“…Further, agency staff may not have the additional time and money to investigate adaptations to the EBP when original guidelines are unclear or not suitable for their populations (Goldfried et al, 2014;Marsiglia & Booth, 2014). Additional agency restraints to implementing EBPs include time shortages, unsupportive organizational culture, tight funding, inadequate staff training, and limited staff availability (Applebaum & Leek, 2008;Bellamy, Bledsoe, & Traube, 2006;Bhattacharyya et al, 2009;Gautam, 2008;Gray & Schubert, 2012;Gray et al, 2014;Wike et al, 2014). EBPs are often not a part of the culture of the agency, in which practitioners have limited appreciation and understanding of the value of EBPs (Bellamy et al, 2006;Gray et al, 2014).…”

“…Rahman, Applebaum, Schnelle, and Simmons (2012) observed how collaboration and expanding on existing resources supported dissemination and use of best practices in nursing home settings. Finally, Applebaum and Leek (2008) suggested a number of ways that partnerships could be developed and sustained, including having campuses house a program that provides services to older adults.…”