Why knowledge does not always lead to action: a review of modifiers of the awareness-to-practice transition in medicine and dentistry
Abstract
Introduction. Globalization and advances in science and medicine have facilitated the widespread dissemination of knowledge about disease prevention measures. However, in practice there remains a substantial gap between awareness of preventive measures and their practical application. This phenomenon is a serious problem because it undermines the effectiveness of preventive programs and increases the burden of disease. The aim of the study was to highlight the issue of this knowledge-action gap. Research objectives — to achieve this, the researchers sought to identify, classify, and substantiate the factors that influence the translation of knowledge into action and to examine their interrelationships; and assess the relative importance of different groups of these modifiers in the formation of the gap. Analysis indicates that the discrepancy between prevention awareness and actual behavior is driven by a complex interplay of numerous interrelated factors. These factors can be grouped into individual factors (such as psychological factors and personal resource constraints) and external factors (including social, governmental, environmental, cultural, and informational factors). Although each factor can play a key role in specific situations, a holistic analysis of their influence points to the decisive role of contextual influences—particularly political factors. In fact, government actions (or inaction) across various domains create the broader context within which individual choices are made and behaviors take shape. Public policy affects most of the barriers that hinder the conversion of preventive knowledge into concrete actions, both directly and indirectly. These findings can inform the development of effective disease prevention programs that target the influential factors underlying the knowledge-action gap. Implementing such programs is especially important at an early age, when the establishment of healthy habits lays the foundation for future commitment to preventive practices and thereby contributes to the well-being of future generations.
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