Knowledge translation and synthesis

Source: A presentation on using social media in knowledge translation Are you interested in contributing to HLWIKI International – hlwiki.ca? contact: dean.giustini@ubc.ca To browse other articles on a range of HSL topics, see the A-Z index. Last Update 7 June 2013 Metadata & synonyms bench to bedside | evidence-based translationist | implementation research | research into practice | translating knowledge | translational medicine | translational research knowledge brokering | knowledge dissemination | knowledge exchange | knowledge management | knowledge mobilization | knowledge transfer | knowledge translation | knowledge synthesis | knowledge utilization Introduction See also Accreditation | Bioinformatics | Digital Communities of Practice (CoPs) | Evidence-based health care | Knowledge management | Translational medicine "...we now recognize knowledge as a key source of competitive advantage [in an organization] ...[but] have little understanding of how to create and leverage it ... traditional knowledge management approaches attempt to capture existing knowledge within formal systems, such as in databases. Yet systematically addressing the kind of dynamic "knowing" that makes a difference in practice requires the participation of people who are fully engaged in creating, refining, communicating and using it" — Wenger, 1998 First, knowledge is at the core of problem-solving and can be examined from three perspectives: 1)knowledge as an object ~ in fact, knowledge exists independently of human intelligence in a sense and is therefore an asset to be cultivated and managed; 2) next, knowledge as "in the minds" of those who share it ~ knowledge only exists when it is shared; and, finally, 3) knowledge systems must be developed to support its quick and ready use. Here, knowledge can be understood as embedded within a community as a product of its context and goals but it must be properly recorded and stored to be retrieved and used (or, it will be difficult to find, or lost). Much of the attention at the moment on knowledge translation, synthesis and mobilization is focused on getting at one of these three issues; improving our knowledge, finding ways to get it into practice and building systems to store it. The idea of tacit knowledge or soft knowledge is important in knowledge mobilization where experience, skills and cultural knowledge are embedded in daily practice. This is not always easy to uncover let alone get into practice. Computer-based tools such as web 2.0, discussion forums, electronic bulletin boards and chat are well-suited to revealing hidden knowledge in organizations but so are traditional forms of sharing such as meetings, journal clubs and presentations. In communities of practice, the process of soft knowledge is aided by social interaction, a major reason why social learning theory is so popular at the moment. All parties involved in research expect the knowledge created through research activities will be useful, whether the objective is to freer knowledge, share it with others or apply it directly to the needs of people in society. The challenge is to find appropriate channels to disseminate knowledge and then once made openly-available to encourage its uptake within organizations. Knowledge translation Knowledge translation is defined as: "...the exchange, synthesis and ethically-sound application of research findings within a complex set of interactions among researchers and knowledge users... In other words, knowledge translation can be seen as an acceleration of the knowledge cycle; an acceleration of the natural transformation of knowledge into use.' Within the context of health research, KT therefore aims to ‘accelerate the capture of the benefits of research . . . through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system’..." — CIHR, 2004 Knowledge translation aims to address the knowledge to evidence-based gap in patient care. Sub-optimal usage of evidence is described as a knowledge gap between what we know and what is done in practice (Davis et al., 2003; Grol, 2000; Grol & Grimshaw, 2003). The term knowledge translation is used in fields such as public health, medicine and rehabilitation (Brandt & Pope, 1997; CIHR, 2004; Davis et al., 2003; Glasgow, Lichtenstein, & Marcus, 2003; Jacobson, Butterill, & Goering, 2003; Tingus, Berland, Myklebust, & Sherwood, 2004). Knowledge synthesis Knowledge synthesis is the integration of research findings into the larger corpus body of knowledge in a given discipline. A knowledge synthesis must be reproducible and transparent in its methods and use quantitative and/or qualitative methods. It can take the form of a systematic review and follow methods established by the Cochrane Collaboration; or, it can be developed as a result of a consensus conference, expert panel, qualitative or quantitative study. Realist synthesis, narrative synthesis, meta-analysis, meta-syntheses and practice guidelines are all forms of knowledge synthesis. CIHR places considerable value on knowledge synthesis. It requires applicants to apply for funding to conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs) but they must include systematic searches with proposals to establish the need for the trial and put into context the trial in the existing body of knowledge. To support synthesis, CIHR has developed a knowledge synthesis funding program which has funded 175+ scoping and full reviews. It is part of CIHR's category of 'integrated knowledge-translation research' http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/39033.html Knowledge mobilization (KMb) According to the Institute for Community Engaged Scholarship, knowledge mobilization is a proactive process to ensure that knowledge, especially that created through publicly-funded programs, is informed by the needs and reaches of their intended audiences. In Canada, knowledge mobilization has a national profile within the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) which has its own division of Knowledge Products and Mobilization and produces a knowledge mobilization strategy. See also Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) Knowledge mobilization (KMb) is related to both knowledge translation and synthesis but bears more similarity to knowledge translation as its goal is to find ways to get knowledge into the system to benefit society as a whole. In medicine, knowledge mobilization refers to getting the results of systematic reviews and clinical studies into patient care but may also refer to finding better ways to mobilize the knowledge gained by health professionals through experience. Both research knowledge and experiential wisdom are part of the knowledge mobilization paradigm. Key concepts in KT & KMb Alberta. Collaborative Health Innovation Network: Public Engagement and Knowledge Translation Environmental Scan. 2012 an environmental scan was commissioned to determine best frameworks and best practices related to the topic of public engagement and to understand the current Alberta landscape regarding knowledge translation in public engagement BC Knowledge Translation Needs Assessment: Initial Findings. Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. May 2012 Training and resources to support research use: a BC needs assessment. Final report, Sept 2012. Graham et al. Lost in knowledge translation: time for a map? J Contin Ed Health Prof 2006;26(1):13–24. “Knowledge brokering” is sometimes used see CHSRF publications http://www.chsrf.ca/ (they use “knowledge exchange” and “knowledge translation”) as is “knowledge utilization” – great site including database and useful weekly current awareness bulletin available via the CHSRF/CIHR Chair on Knowledge Transfer and Innovation site (http://kuuc.chair.ulaval.ca/english/index.php) at the Université Laval. Terms like "bench to bedside" and "mouse to man" are also used in less formal settings. Also, "translational science/research/medicine" is used especially in the US although sometimes in talking about the application of basic science in clinical / applied research - see Zerhouni. Translational and clinical science — time for a new vision. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:1621-1623. McKibbon A. A cross-sectional study of the number and frequency of terms used to refer to knowledge translation in a body of health literature in 2006: a tower of Babel? Implementation Science. 2010;5:16. There is a “movement” in Québec, a group of librarians pushing “E-veille” ...translated as E-watch or E-intelligence (as in business intelligence). http://www.asssm.veille.qc.ca/fr/index.html Straus SE, Tetroe J, Graham ID. Knowledge to action: what it is and what it isn't. Knowledge translation in health care: moving from evidence to practice. Chichester: Wiley / Blackwell, 2009. "Many terms are used to describe the process of putting knowledge into action [Graham ID et al]. In the United Kingdom and Europe, the terms implementation science and research utilization are commonly used in this context. In the United States, the terms dissemination and diffusion, research use, knowledge transfer, and uptake are often used. Canada commonly uses the terms knowledge transfer and exchange. In this book, we use the terms knowledge translation (KT) and knowledge to action interchangeably." p.3 "Some organizations may use the term knowledge translation synonymously with commercialization or technology transfer. However, this narrow view does not consider the various stakeholders involved or the actual process of using knowledge in decision making." p.4 Using evidence: advances and debates in bridging health research and action. Renée Lyons, professor and Canada Research Chair, Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre (AHPRC), Dalhousie University This monograph grew out of a symposium on health and knowledge translation (KT) held at Green Templeton College, Oxford http://bit.ly/lgj4Wa OR http://bit.ly/lwfIKf Knowledge TSMb journals and websites Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR) Module I, Situation Analysis. Module II & Priority Setting. Module III Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) Canadian Institutes of Health Research. A Guide to Evaluation in Health Research. the purpose of this learning module is to build knowledge and skill in the area of evaluation of health research initiatives (including knowledge translation) CIHR Guide to Knowledge Synthesis CIHR's KT Clearinghouse CIHR Knowledge Translation and Commercialization CIHR Knowledge Translation Learning Modules CHSRF/CIHR Knowledge Utilization Chair website (KUUC) CHSRF Knowledge brokering Implementation science http://www.implementationscience.com/ Institute for Work and Health http://www.iwh.on.ca/knowledge-transfer-exchange Knowledge Connections http://www.skyrme.com/index.htm KT articles at McMasterPLUS Knowledge Mobilization at York University Knowledge Synthesis Canada Knowledge Translation Canada National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Registry of methods and tools: knowledge translation methods and tools for public health. Science translational medicine Technology Enabled Knowledge Translation http://www.tektic.ca/Home.htm What is knowledge translation? wiki http://whatiskt.wikispaces.com/KT+Terms Wikipedia. Knowledge Management http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management Social media & KT Accreditation Canada Accreditation Canada is a not-for-profit, independent organization accredited by the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua). It provides national and international health care organizations with an external peer review process to assess and improve the services provided to patients and clients based on standards of excellence. Accreditation Canada's programs and guidance have helped organizations promote quality health care for more than 50 years. See also Knowledge exchange at Accreditation Canada References ABC of knowledge management. Aharony N. 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The case for knowledge translation: Shortening the journey from evidence to effect. BMJ. 2003;327(7405):33—35. Demakis JG, McQueen L. Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI): a collaboration between research and clinical practice. Med Care. 2000;38(6 Suppl 1):I17-25. Dobbins M, Ciliska D. A framework for the dissemination and utilization of research for health-care policy and practice. Online J Knowl Synth Nurs. 2002;9:7. Fournier MF. Knowledge mobilization in the context of health technology assessment: an exploratory case study. Health Res Policy Syst. 2012 Apr 3;10:10. Glasgow RE. Why don't we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. Am J Pub Health. 2003;93(8):1261-7. Graham ID. Knowledge synthesis and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Syst Rev. 2012 Feb 9;1(1):6. Grimshaw JM, Santesso N, Mayhew A, McGowan J. Knowledge for knowledge translation: the role of the Cochrane Collaboration. 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How can research organizations more effectively transfer research knowledge to decision makers? Milbank Q. 2003;81(2):221-48. Lavis JN, Ross SE. Examining the role of health services research in public policymaking. Milbank Q. 2002;80(1):125-54. Schaffert S. IkeWiki: a SemanticWiki for collaborative knowledge management Shanhong T. Knowledge management in libraries in the 21st century. IFLA Papers. Tobin T. Ten principles for knowledge management success Straus SE. Knowledge to action: what it is and what it isn't. In: Knowledge translation in health care: moving from evidence to practice. Chichester: Wiley / Blackwell, 2009. Wenger E. Communities of practice: learning, meaning and identity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1998. White T. Knowledge management in an academic library case study: KM within Oxford University Library Services. 2004. Wilson TD. The nonsense of 'knowledge management'. Inform Res. 2002;8(1) Wyatt J. Knowledge management and innovation in medicine: how to go beyond practice guidelines? Adv Clin Knowledge Managem. 2002;5. Tingus SJ, Berland BJ. NIDRR long-range planning update for KDU. In: Knowledge dissemination and utilization: translating disability research into practice. Pentagon City, VA; 2004. Walker AE, Grimshaw J, Johnston M, Pitts N, Steen N, Eccles M. PRIME--PRocess modelling in ImpleMEntation research: selecting a theoretical basis for interventions to change clinical practice. BMC Health Serv Res. 2003 Dec 19;3(1):22. Zerhouni E. Translational and clinical science: time for a new vision. N Engl J Med. 2005;353:1621-23.