Bench to Bedside: Why Medical Research Needs a Rethink
"Is the gap between theory and practice in medical informatics holding back progress?"
The field of medical informatics aims to bridge the gap between research and practical application in healthcare. Two articles by Lehmann and Haux examined whether the journal Applied Clinical Informatics (ACI) has successfully translated theoretical work from Methods of Information in Medicine (MIM) into practical improvements in hospitals and clinics.
However, a closer look at the methodologies used to evaluate this translation reveals potential flaws. The comparison of publication years between MIM and ACI may not accurately capture the time lag between theoretical development and practical implementation.
This article delves into the limitations of current research approaches and emphasizes the need for a more comprehensive strategy that considers the sequential relationship between theory and practice, as well as the critical role of collaboration with software vendors in the field of medical informatics.
The Problem with Parallel Timelines
Lehmann and Haux's initial editorial suggests a chronological order between theory and its application. They point out that discoveries in gene therapy research are still far from practical use, the implementation of concepts into bedside systems is slow, and it takes a long time to bring discoveries from the "bench" to the "bedside."
- Theoretical insights need time to translate into practice.
- Practical observations can take time to inform and reshape theory.
- The current research approach overlooks the sequential relationship between theory and application.
The Vendor Factor: A Critical Piece of the Puzzle
Medical informatics differs from traditional medical research in one key aspect: the crucial role of commercial software vendors. Many areas, such as clinical information systems and health IT training, require collaboration with software developers.
The software used in healthcare settings are primarily developed by private companies, not academic institutions. These smaller vendors often lack the resources needed to effectively integrate research findings into their products. If the flow of information between researchers and developers is broken, progress will be slow.
Future studies must consider the institutional affiliations of authors and encourage vendors to participate in collaborative research. By fostering partnerships between researchers, clinicians, and vendors, the field can accelerate the translation of theoretical insights into practical solutions.