Studies with the potential to change clinical practice are published frequently in peer-reviewed journals such as JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). However, studies of the implementation of such results into clinical practice demonstrate that results are rarely applied to all the patients who potentially could benefit. Many possible reasons exist for this lack of translating science into practice.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has partnered with JAMA to facilitate the transition of science into practice through the series Author in the Room® ^.  In this series, the author of a study published in JAMA with the potential to change clinical practice will talk with clinicians during a conference call, facilitated by clinical experts in implementing changes in practice.

The call will be followed by a discussion group and participants will be assessed to determine the degree to which they believe they have implemented change within their practice. 

The study and the Author in the Room®  calls held from March 2005 - May 2006 were made possible with the generous funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Anticipated study results are scheduled for early Fall 2006.

Read the editorial by Catherine D. DeAngelis, MD, MPH, and Donald M. Berwick, MP, MPP, which launched this unique collaboration between IHI and JAMA. (DeAngelis, C., MD, MPH, Berwick, D., MP, MPP.  JAMA. 2005;293:1004.)

Join us in this innovative initiative to translate research into practice.