What drives change? Barriers to and incentives for achieving evidence‐based practice

• Published in: Medical journal of Australia Vol. 180; no. 6; pp. S57 - S60
• Main Authors: Grol, Richard, Wensing, Michel
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Sydney Australasian Medical Publishing Company 15-03-2004; Australasian Medical Publishing Company Proprietary, Ltd
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Clinical medicine; Diabetes; Diffusion of Innovation; Evidence-Based Medicine - organization & administration; Family physicians; General aspects; Guideline Adherence; Health Plan Implementation; Health services administration; Humans; Intervention; Leadership; Medical sciences; Models, Theoretical; Motivation; Organizational Innovation; Patients; Physician Incentive Plans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Practice Patterns, Physicians; Professionals; Social norms; Evidence-based medicine
• ISSN: 0025-729X; 1326-5377
• DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb05948.x

To bridge the gap between scientific evidence and patient care we need an in‐depth understanding of the barriers and incentives to achieving change in practice.
Various theories and models for change point to a multitude of factors that may affect the successful implementation of evidence. However, the evidence for their value in the field is still limited.
When planning complex changes in practice, potential barriers at various levels need to be addressed. Planning needs to take into account the nature of the innovation; characteristics of the professionals and patients involved; and the social, organisational, economic and political context.