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Closing the Theory-Practice Gap: Is it Possible?

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The theory-practice gap occurs when practitioners struggle to integrate knowledge learnt in an academic environment with real-world clinical practice. As standards of care continue to evolve, there can often seem to be a disconnect between what is considered best practice and actual practice.

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Moving to different clinical environments and embracing new responsibilities can be stressful and challenging for even the most experienced practitioners. For newly qualified staff, however, managing the gap between theory and practice can seem overwhelming. The theory-practice gap, or research-practice gap as it’s sometimes called, occurs when practitioners struggle to integrate knowledge learnt in an academic environment with real-world clinical practice. As standards of care continue to evolve from practices rooted in custom and tradition to an evidence-based profession, there can often seem to be a disconnect between what is considered best practice and actual practice.

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Meet the educator

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Anne Watkins
Anne is a freelance lecturer and medical writer at Mind Body Ink. She is a former midwife and nurse teacher with over 25 years’ experience working in the fields of healthcare, stress management and medical hypnosis. Her background includes working as a hospital midwife, Critical Care nurse, lecturer in Neonatal Intensive Care, and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for a company making life support equipment. Anne has also studied many forms of complementary medicine and has extensive experience in the field of clinical hypnosis. She has a special interest in integrating complementary medicine into conventional healthcare settings and is currently an Associate Tutor, lecturing in Health Coaching and Medical Hypnosis at Exeter University in the UK. As a former Midwife, Anne has a natural passion for writing about fertility, pregnancy, birthing and baby care. Her recent publications include The Health Factor, Coach Yourself To Better Health and Positive Thinking For Kids. You can read more about her work at www.MindBodyInk.com.
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21 reviews by Ausmed Learners
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Portrait of Megan Cudaj
Megan Cudaj
11 Sep 2021
This article provided a good summary of the theory-to-practice gap experienced by new practitioners, informed by recent and relevant research on the topic.
LM
louise mackie
17 May 2020
good clear resource
PC
Paul cooper
13 Jul 2021
really useful and well written.
Portrait of Melanie Andrews
Melanie Andrews
12 Sep 2020
imperative in all areas of clinical practice.
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