Systems-level approaches crucial to translating research into aged care practice

Strategic, systems-level approaches are crucial for translating research into practice in aged care, according to new findings from Monash University. Traditional methods of disseminating guidelines often fail to bridge the gap between evidence and clinical application in long-term care facilities. A major trial called EMBRACE, conducted by researchers from the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, employed multiple strategies to improve staff behavior and guideline adherence.

These strategies included fact sheets, a practical checklist for monitoring medication side effects, and a companion guide for residents and their families. The trial, which involved four long-term care provider organizations across four states in Australia, tracked outcomes in 19 residential facilities. Professor Simon Bell, director of CMUS, emphasized that improving medication safety in residential long-term care requires new strategies to align research evidence with clinical practice.

Knowledge brokers, intermediaries who facilitate the translation of evidence into practice, were found to play a significant role in local quality improvement initiatives. These brokers worked at a systems level to develop, deliver, and evaluate quality improvement initiatives. However, their effectiveness was heavily influenced by facility leadership, organizational culture, and dedicated implementation support.

The research highlights the importance of considering the acceptability and feasibility of guideline recommendations during their development. While developing high-quality guidelines is essential, how these guidelines are implemented is equally important for improving evidence-based care in aged care facilities. The findings provide a framework for industry leaders to leverage new roles, such as on-site pharmacists, at a system level to translate clinical evidence into practice.