Knowledge Translation Model Research Articles

The Relevance of Qualitative Research for Clinical Programs in Psychiatry

It is time to move beyond education about qualitative research theory and methods to using them to understand and improve psychiatric practice. There is a good fit between this agenda and current thinking about research use that broadens definitions of evidence beyond the results of experiments. This paper describes a qualitative program evaluation to illustrate what kind of useful knowledge is generated and how it can be created through a clinician-researcher partnership. The linkage and exchange model of effective knowledge translation described involves interaction between clinicians and researchers throughout the research process and results in mutual learning through the planning, disseminating, and application of existing or new qualitative research in decision making.

Pursuing common agendas: A collaborative model for knowledge translation between research and practice in clinical settings

There is an emerging discourse of knowledge translation that advocates a shift away from unidirectional research utilization and evidence-based practice models toward more interactive models of knowledge transfer. In this paper, we describe how our participatory approach to knowledge translation developed during an ongoing program of research concerning equitable care for diverse populations. At the core of our approach is a collaborative relationship between researchers and practitioners, which underpins the knowledge translation cycle, and occurs simultaneously with data collection/analysis/synthesis. We discuss lessons learned including: the complexities of translating knowledge within the political landscape of healthcare delivery, the need to negotiate the agendas of researchers and practitioners in a collaborative approach, and the kinds of resources needed to support this process.

Knowledge translation for research utilization: Design of a knowledge translation model at Tehran University of Medical Sciences

The present study aimed to generate a model that would provide a conceptual framework for linking disparate components of knowledge translation. A theoretical model of such would enable the organization and evaluation of attempts to analyze current conditions and to design interventions on the transfer and utilization of research knowledge. This research, performed in 2006-2007 at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), utilized two distinct methodologies: a narrative review to identify existing knowledge transfer models and frameworks and focus group discussions to determine the views and opinions of researchers and decision makers regarding barriers to knowledge translation within the health system. A knowledge translation cycle is described, with five domains: knowledge creation, knowledge transfer, research utilization, question transfer, and the context of organization. The knowledge translation cycle offers a theoretical basis for identifying basic requirements and linking mechanisms in the translation of knowledge for research utilization.

Evidence-Based Practice: A Primer for Action

Although evidence-based practice (EBP) began as a challenge to the medical profession in the early 1970s, the concept has since been embraced by nursing and other health care professions. Although it is clear that the process of placing evidence into practice will continue to be refined, the mandate to do so is clear. The purpose of this article is to present a brief history of the definition of EBP, describe some of the more well-known models of knowledge translation, discuss some of the commonly agreed-upon steps in the EBP process, and present some resources that might be useful for readers.

The role and theoretical evolution of knowledge translation and exchange in public health

There is an increased emphasis in public health research on effective models and strategies to support knowledge translation (KT), the exchange, synthesis and ethically sound application of research findings within a complex set of interactions among researchers and knowledge users. In other words, KT can be seen as an acceleration of the knowledge cycle-an acceleration of the natural transformation of knowledge into use (Canadian Institutes of Health Services Research. Knowledge Translation Strategy, 2004). The most recent conceptualizations consider the complexities of public health decision-making. The role of practitioners and communities is increasingly considered. We identify, describe and discuss the theoretical underpinnings of KT and recommend a way forward to build the evidence for more effective practice. Theoretical perspectives increasingly influence research on KT in public health. A range of innovative work is being conducted to explore methods for KT using practical tools, often with the support of government. KT describes a crucial and to date under-developed element of the research process. There is an important gap in theoretically informed empirical studies of effectiveness of proposed approaches in public health, health promotion and preventive medicine, and thus much of the debate remains abstract. There is clearly an urgent policy need to establish the effectiveness of KT models in a range of contexts. This must include both the consideration of development and the utilization of knowledge.

Development of a framework for knowledge translation: understanding user context.

To develop a framework that researchers and other knowledge disseminators who are embarking on knowledge translation can use to increase their familiarity with the intended user groups. The framework was derived from a review and analysis of the knowledge translation literature and from the authors' own experience with a variety of user groups. The framework consists of five domains: the user group, the issue, the research, the knowledge translation relationship, and dissemination strategies. Within each domain, the framework includes a series of questions. The questions provide the researcher with a way of organizing what he or she already knows about the user group and the knowledge translation project, of identifying what still is unknown, and of flagging what is important to learn. Most researchers wishing to engage in knowledge translation are moving out of their own familiar contexts. By using this framework, researchers will learn about the new contexts in which they find themselves. The insights they gain will increase their familiarity with the user group, thus aiding in the implicit goal of the interactive model of knowledge translation: making the researcher a part of the user group context.