The concept of Knowledge Translation in relation to Burden of Disease

Abstract

Abstract The importance to bridge the gap between research and policy making has been widely recognised. Also, in the field of Burden of Disease, this gap exists. There are various terms used to define the dynamic process of synthesising, exchanging and applying generated knowledge into policy making. These are among other interchangeably used terms: knowledge translation, research utilization, implementation science, knowledge transfer or knowledge exchange, here referred to as knowledge translation (KT). The driver behind the systematic effort of KT is to bridge the gap between the generation of that knowledge and its application such as to improve public health. Among communication strategies to achieve KT include the engagement with policy and decision-makers for effective use of the findings into potential benefits for the health and wellbeing of the population. Other strategies, include the development of patient-public-involvement partnerships to communicate the findings with the public and create an open dialogue for further use of research results into practice. The focus of KT by researchers to date has mainly been on the ‘translation' of biomedical research, including findings from clinical trials, evidence from clinical practice guidelines, mixed-methods data on the development of implementation tools and other. However, similar findings on the translation of such evidence from burden of disease studies (BoD) have been non-existent. Potential reasons for this may have been challenges such as creating effective engagement strategies with appropriate stakeholders for the use of BoD findings, establishing a common methodological framework, difficulties in interpreting the findings for health-policy purposes, or miscommunication practices on the value and impact of BoD. Further, BoD methodological tools require specialist knowledge and interpretation of results into practice, hence, making KT even more challenging. Therefore, the prospect of developing a KT framework specifically for BoD remains an opportunity but also a pressing challenge.