100 likes | 218 Views
Knowledge Translation Research. Anne Sales Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta anne.sales@ualberta.ca. Acknowledgements. Funding from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Support from CIHR as a Canada Research Chair. Five W’s of KT research. Who What When Where
E N D
Knowledge Translation Research Anne Sales Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta anne.sales@ualberta.ca
Acknowledgements • Funding from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research • Support from CIHR as a Canada Research Chair
Five W’s of KT research • Who • What • When • Where • Why
Who: targets of KT • Most KT research has focused on transfer or uptake of knowledge to professionals/providers • Majority of KT research has focused on physician providers • Not entirely clear why
What: Evidence and/or knowledge • Not entirely clear what constitutes evidence • Most KT research has focused on results of empirical research as evidence • Strong emphasis on hierarchies of evidence • Based on treatment models– causality as the primary question for empirical research • Not clear if these are the most appropriate models for KT research • Problem of external validity/generalizability
When: when is something ready for translation? • Test of time issue • Repeated questions about external validity • Dynamic nature of knowledge and evidence • “Community standard” vs. guideline
Where: Context • In the organizational frame, this is a key question for external validity • Things that work in one place don’t always work in another • Currently a major focus of KT research
Why: the need for theory • Most existing KT research has little to no explicit theory base • Rests on unstated assumptions • Lack of awareness • Lack of recognition • Lack of time • Lack of motivation • Lack of coordination • Lack of self-efficacy • Lack of planning • Human psychology/social science theories cover most of these factors • Need to test and improve the theory base to create more efficient, knowledge-generating approaches to KT
Open questions • When should we initiate KT activity? • What criteria make it worth the cost of attempting to induce behavior change? • What contextual factors influence knowledge uptake? • Can we do anything to make contexts more amenable to KT/U? • Can we arrive at robust theories that help us plan and implement KT/U activities?