Methods: This presentation will summarise the experience of CRD in their attempts to disseminate and promote the uptake of research findings within the NHS. It will describe CRD's unique distribution system based on the principles of relationship marketing that involves maintaining active links with key individuals across the NHS. The presentation will also highlight practical issues for those involved in the dissemination of high quality research evidence.

Conclusions: CRD recognises that improving access to good research evidence does not ensure that health professionals and decision makers will be able to use it in practice. However, this should not be taken to mean that raising awareness of the messages underpinning proposed practice changes is unimportant. Whilst the relationship between knowledge and behaviour is rarely a linear one, getting the message across still plays an important part in any behaviour change process.