Moving research into practice: the diffusion of evidence-based recommendations through professional societies

There is a substantial need among clinicians for health-related, evidence-based recommendations. Evidence-based recommendations help distill research findings and aid health care providers in making clinical decisions. However, it is infeasible for providers to sort through thousands of available guidelines, and heterogeneity among recommendation developers (e.g., composition, processes, outputs) can make it difficult for clinicians to identify which recommendations are trustworthy, feasible, and applicable to their patient population. Even when there is broad consensus about the quality and utility of recommendations, a range of contextual factors (e.g., the health care system, patient characteristics, enabling resources) can impede implementation. This study examined the diffusion of evidence-based recommendations through professional societies to clinically-trained members, and explored knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding evidence-based recommendations and practice. The study had three aims: 1.) Describe the role primary care professional societies play in developing and/or disseminating evidence-based reports and recommendations; 2.) Determine if the needs of primary care providers and their professional societies for evidence-based reports and recommendations are being met; 3.) Describe the value that the federal government contributes to evidence-based practice.