Integrating Knowledge Translation and Exchange

into a grant

Maureen Dobbins, RN, PhD

 

SON, January 14, 2013

Objectives

• current activities• type of KTE activity• planning for integrated KT• end of grant KT• Assessing success

Setting the Stage At your small table discuss:

• your research• your experience in KT• what is KT success to you

A Journey of Learning

• OHCEN • Doctoral • Qualitative• RCT• Case Studies

What is KT?

What is KT?

raising knowledge users' awareness of research findings and facilitating the use of those findings

(http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45321.html#a1)

Type of KTE

• Integrated KT (iKT)

Knowledge users part of research team

Participate in most/all of research process

• End of grant KT

Plan for how research findings will be translated after study

Knowledge User• an individual likely able to use research to make informed

decisions about health policies, programs or practices

• can be:– practitioner– policy maker– educator– decision maker– health care administrator– community leader or an individual in a health charity– patient group– private sector organization– or media outlet.

Identify Knowledge User(s)

Knowledge User Roles (iKT)

opportunity for significant collaboration with knowledge users in:

1) development or refinement of research questions

2) selection of the methodology, data collection and tools development

3) selection of outcome measures

4) interpretation of the findings

5) crafting of the message and dissemination of the results

Identify Applicable User Roles

Engaging Users

• grant timelines• addressing user needs• challenges

Grant Timeline

Plot timeline for developing grant (ensure adequate time for user input)

What do you know about user informational needs

Challenges to engaging User

Research Question

• To what extent is the research question clear and in response to an important need identified by the decision-maker(s) on the research team?

• Make explicit how question addresses User(s) needs

Research Question

Research Approach

• extent knowledge users are meaningfully engaged

• strategies for sustaining their meaningful engagement 

• specify when, how and for what purpose the researchers and knowledge users will meet

• Very strong iKT projects demonstrate an established relationship with the participating knowledge users, one that hopefully precedes and will outlast the project

• primary audience for iKT projects is the knowledge users participating as part of the project team

Research Approach

Feasibility

• extent knowledge users are committed to applying the findings when they become available and is their application achievable in the particular practice, program and/or policy context?

• to what extent does the researcher-decision-maker team have the necessary expertise, time and track record to deliver on the project's objective(s)

Feasibility

PATHWAYS MODEL

What constitutes knowledge?

Model adapted from Graham, I. D., Logan, J., Harrison, M. B., Straus, S. E., Tetroe, J., Caswell, W. et al. (2006). Lost in knowledge

translation: Time for a map? Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 26, 13-14.

Evaluate Outcomes

Sustain Knowledge

Use

Identify Problem

-------------------------------

Identify, Review, Select Knowledge

Identify the best available research evidence evaluating strategies to promote

child health

Adapt Knowledge to Local Context

Assess Barriers to

Knowledge Use

Select, Tailor, Implement

Interventions

Monitor Knowledge

Use

Knowledge Tools/

Products

Knowledge Synthesis

Knowledge Inquiry

KT ACTION CYCLE (Application)

Tailo

ring

K

now

ledg

e

Policy making models and the use of research evidence

Outcomes

• To what extent will the project have a substantive and sustainable impact on health outcomes, practice, programs and/or policy in the study context?

• To what extent will the project's findings be transferable to other practice, programs and/or policy contexts?

Outcome Issues

• What are the right outcomes• Realistic timing• Validity and reliability

Instrumental Use Outcomes

• Developing processes and infrastructure

• Organizational policies

• Resources

• Skill development and training sessions

Instrumental Use (cont’d) • Attitudes

• Evidence is being used

– to assess clients/communities

– to plan programs

• Health outcomes

• Work life satisfaction

• Health system

Conceptual Outcomes

• # aware of program• # aware of evidence• Proportion aware of project and products• # of times evidence downloaded • # of times links to evidence are clicked• # of times links in newsletters, etc are clicked• Agenda items

Outcomes

Keys to success• leadership & strategic direction• shared vision• combination of f2f and virtual contact• individual & organizational assessment• tailored interventions• practice-based & -relevant

Keys to success cont’d

• multiple levels of involvement• starting “where folks are at”• skills practice opportunities• collaborative goal setting• flexibility

– Format (virtual or face-to-face)– Site visit schedules– Availability – Changing priorities

End of Grant KT

• identify key target audiences for findings• craft key messages tailored for various audiences• tailored KT strategy for different audiences• face to face engagement• personalized reports• open access publications in relevant journals• presentations at conferences where audience

attends• Non-peer reviewed publications•

End of Grant KT (cont’d)

• open access publications in relevant journals

• presentations at conferences where audience attends

• non-peer reviewed publications/web reports

• have knowledge users prepare and present results at relevant conferences

End of Grant KT (cont’d)

Helpful Resources

http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45321.html#a1 (guide to KT planning)

http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/44954.html (module: researcher/knowledge user collaboration)

http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/4656.html#s3_7_4 (scientific merit criteria)