Abstract
BackgroundA wide range of diverse and inconsistent terminology exists in the field of knowledge translation. This limits the conduct of evidence syntheses, impedes communication and collaboration, and undermines knowledge translation of research findings in diverse settings. Improving uniformity of terminology could help address these challenges. In 2012, we convened an international working group to explore the idea of developing a common terminology and an overarching framework for knowledge translation interventions.FindingsMethods included identifying and summarizing existing frameworks, mapping together a subset of those frameworks, and convening a multi-disciplinary group to begin working toward consensus. The group considered four potential approaches to creating a simplified framework: melding existing taxonomies, creating a framework of intervention mechanisms rather than intervention strategies, using a consensus process to expand one of the existing models/frameworks used by the group, or developing a new consensus framework.ConclusionsThe work group elected to draft a new, simplified consensus framework of interventions to promote and integrate evidence into health practices, systems and policies. The framework will include four key components: strategies and techniques (active ingredients), how they function (causal mechanisms), how they are delivered (mode of delivery), and what they aim to change (intended targets). The draft framework needs to be further developed by feedback and consultation with the research community and tested for usefulness through application and evaluation.
Highlights
A wide range of diverse and inconsistent terminology exists in the field of knowledge translation
In an analysis of the titles and abstracts of over 20,000 quality improvement publications, Walshe found that authors used numerous different terms to present an essentially similar set of approaches, with terms changing in frequency of use over time [2]
Methods to develop a framework During the meeting, participants presented their experiences with the frameworks that they had used in their work, reviewed the mapping exercise, and discussed how to develop a framework that Knowledge translation (KT) scholars might use to understand and communicate about each other’s intervention frameworks and terminologies
Summary
A wide range of diverse and inconsistent terminology exists in the field of knowledge translation. This limits the conduct of evidence syntheses, impedes communication and collaboration, and undermines knowledge translation of research findings in diverse settings. Efforts to build the science of how to most effectively promote and support the use of evidence in health and healthcare policy and practice have been variably termed ‘knowledge translation (KT)’, ‘implementation science’, ‘quality improvement’, ‘dissemination’, etc. Within each of these fields of study, researchers have developed a variety of terms for their approaches and interventions. In an effort to develop an inventory of KT-related terms, McKibbon et al identified 100 different terms to describe KT research [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
