Practice Gap
What is a Practice Gap?
The difference between what is happening now and what should be happening in practice.
Practice Gap Statements
Practice gap statements define the educational need, target audience, and intended outcome of an activity.
A strong gap statement (2–3 sentences) should describe:
- The current practice
- The best practice
- The impact on patient care and/or the healthcare team
Gaps may relate to knowledge, competence, performance, or team performance and may apply to a single profession or the healthcare team.
Guiding Questions
- What is the problem in practice?
- What should be done differently?
- How will this improve care or team performance?
Examples
Interprofessional:
Members of the healthcare team are not consistently applying current sepsis guidelines, resulting in delays in care. This activity will improve team performance and patient outcomes through better coordination and use of evidence-based practices.
Single Profession:
Primary care providers are using outdated guidelines for managing GI disorders. This activity will improve competence in diagnosis and treatment using current evidence-based approaches.
Key Tips
- Be specific and concise
- Focus on change in practice
- Link to outcomes