Numerous health care disciplines have noted that insufficient research evidence is used in clinical practice. This situation denies optimal care to patients and potentially increases system costs. A practical theoretical framework for policymakers intent on promoting an evidence-based approach to the transfer and use of research findings in clinical practice settings is presented. The Ottawa Model of Research Use (OMRU) has a comprehensive interdisciplinary focus and consists of six key elements: the practice environment, potential adopters of the evidence, the evidence-based innovation, research transfer strategies, the evidence adoption, and health-related and other outcomes. Model elements and the interactive relationships among them are described.
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