Dissemination of research findings: who wants what?

There is growing concern to ensure that the results of health services research reach, and are understood by, those who plan and provide health services. Because of the complexity and variability of services, it is often difficult to translate findings from one setting to another. This paper discusses an attempt to disseminate the findings of one study, Patterns and Pathways of Care of Old People, by visiting local health services on request. The main conclusion is that, for a qualitative study such as this, considerable effort is needed to predetermine which relevant research aspects and local people to bring together to make the exercise useful to either party. If dissemination of National Health Service (NHS) funded research is to be promoted, a central issue to be addressed is who is responsible for initiating and funding this stage. The paper raises a number of options.