Editorial: The real gap between bench and bedside.

Abstract

The demand is often expressed today, sometimes with breathless urgency, that the fruits of research be applied more quickly to the treatment and prevention of disease. The implication is that "basic scientists" have turned up quantities of information not available to promote the health of mankind for want of more "applied" research, and more speedy and simplified exchange of biomedical information. Although both need continuing emphasis, neither alone nor in combination can they assure rapid progression of knowledge from bench to bedside. I would propose instead that the delay is due mainly to our inability to understand and to integrate . . .