RESEARCH offers important opportunities to strengthen our efforts to reduce the impact of drug abuse and addiction in our society and to improve the quality of life of our citizens. A recent Institute of Medicine report, Bridging the Gap Between Practice and Research, highlights the crucial role that must be played by the interaction of researchers and care givers at the community level if we are to ask the right questions, develop relevant responses and implement the results of research in care.
This publication summarizes the role that providers can and should play in these interactions. It supplements symmetrical efforts to educate researchers about their role in working with provider colleagues. The stakes are very high and the challenges are critically important! Thank you for the role you are playing.
Kenneth I. Shine, M.D.
President
Institute of Medicine