In addition to being the founder and Executive Director of an eating disorder treatment center, Judith Banker currently serves as President of the The Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), a global professional association dedicated to promoting excellence in eating disorder education, training, treatment, research and prevention.   She has lectured internationally on eating disorder treatment, and we are honored to welcome her to Baltimore for the Center for Eating Disorders’ annual professional symposium, Eating Disorders: State of the Art Treatment.   During this year’s symposium on April 18, 2009, Ms. Banker will deliver her presentation, Dynamic Tension to Dynamic Strength:  Integrating Research and Practice in the Treatment of Eating Disorders. For a sneak peak at her presentation, check out today’s blog in which Ms. Banker offers insight into the ” research-practice gap”  and why it is such an important issue for eating disorder professionals to learn about.

Ms. Banker, how would you define the term “research-practice gap”?  Is it unique to the field of eating disorder treatment?

The term research-practice gap (RPG) refers to a complex gap in attitudes, systems, knowledge and dialogue between those who primarily conduct research and those in direct practice who provide treatment to individuals and families. The RPG is not at all unique to the field of eating disorders- it occurs in most fields with a strong science and research-driven component.

What are some of the underlying causes of this gap between research and practice?

The RPG is driven by a combination of forces and conditions.  These can include, 1) a lack of opportunities for researchers and clinicians to interact and engage in dialogue about treatment issues, 2) a lack of training programs that promote a scientist-practitioner model,  3)  the use of different jargon by those in research and those who practice clinically, and 4) practical conditions such as a lack of time, funding and support for professionals to participate in both research and practice.

Why do you feel this is this an important area of study for eating disorder professionals?

There are many gaps in the knowledge base in our field. The lack of dialogue and contact between researchers and practitioners can be detrimental to both parties and to our patients.  When therapists and providers don’t have a chance to communicate to researchers, it results in the loss of important clinical observations that could help to inform the research.  Similarly,  when the research findings do not reach clinical settings, it means treatment providers are not always implementing the most effective treatments in their practice.  In the end, it is the quality of patient care that suffers. We need research-practice integration to build our knowledge base and to develop the very best, most effective treatments for people with eating disorders and their families.

In addition to attending your workshop on April 18th, where can clinicians and treatment providers go to learn more about your research and the work you have done around this issue? 

AED Past President, Kelly Klump, and I wrote a chapter on the RPG that is available in a book edited by Ida Dancyger, PhD & Victor Fornari, MD, entitled, Evidence Based Treatments for Eating Disorders: Children, Adolescents and Adults (Nova Science Publishers, 2009). 

Additionally, the AED has created a listserv that is open to all members for discussion regarding causes and solutions for the RPG.  The AED also sponsors annualGlobal Think Tank sessions at the AED International Conference on Eating Disorders where attendees can address how to promote research-practice integration in our field.  Eating disorder professionals can learn more about these opportunities at www.aedweb.org.

Many thanks to Judith Banker for taking the time to offer her knowledge in regards to the Research-Practice Gap.  It is clearly a relevant topic that, for the purpose of improving and advancing treatment for individuals with eating disorders, deserves more attention from professionals in the field.  We hope many of you will be able to find out more during Ms. Bankers presentation at The Center for Eating Disorders’ annual symposium on April 18, 2009.  To register for this event, please visit our Events Page.