Much of the research evidence generated under highly controlled conditions lacks in ecological validity or representativeness of the population. Children, older people, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities are systematically underrepresented in health-related research. Moreover, research rarely focuses on the complexities as they present themselves for most people. For example, it is more likely that people over 65 manage more than one health condition, take more than one set of medicines, or find it difficult to meet the requirements of a strict research protocol due to conflicting life events and activities (Valentine, 2017 ).

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Health sciences must acknowledge the necessity for creative, effective, and suitable methods of integrating and utilizing knowledge to address complex issues. Most importantly, it is crucial that the sharing of knowledge includes the end-user or beneficiary (Valentine, 2017 ).