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Knowledge translation is a process that helps to put what is currently known in the world of research into action in medical facilities and doctor’s offices (Zhu et al., 2012). The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2022) defines knowledge translation as a “process that includes synthesizing, disseminating, exchanging and applicating knowledge to improve health and provide more effective health services, and strengthen the health care system”. By facilitating the communication of new knowledge to respective parties, professionals can make the best decision for their patients (Zhu et al., 2012).
An audit of a Toronto hospital found that there was a gap with the assessment and treatment of pain in children. The initiative focused on building a program that focused on 3 sections:
· Education: this included organizational recognition of pain management as a priority, education session for health care providers to provide the most current knowledge, providing information and resources for staff and patients/families,
· Education: this included organizational recognition of pain management as a priority, education session for health care providers to provide the most current knowledge, providing information and resources for staff and patients/families,
· Reminders: improve visibility of the information like poster boards, emails, flowsheets,
· Reminders: improve visibility of the information like poster boards, emails, flowsheets,
· Audits and feedback: dissemination of audit results and feedback to staff (Zhu et al., 2012).
· Audits and feedback: dissemination of audit results and feedback to staff (Zhu et al., 2012).
The study performed an audit within the hospital pre- and post- KT intervention and found that there was a significant improvement of pain management and pain assessment practices (Zhu et al., 2012). The use of many communication methods to reach hospital staff is a great strategy as not everyone works or learns new information in similar ways (Grimshaw et al., 2012). In addition, having multiple points of reach within the workplace increases the chances that staff acknowledges and uses new or improved knowledge (Grimshaw et al., 2012). Grimshaw et al. (2012) express the benefits of multifaceted initiatives and their ability to break down obstacles that may exist. With this type of approach, it is more effective to assess the current knowledge environment and determine what type of barriers exist in the knowledge translation aspect to determine which communication methods are best suited (Grimshaw et al., 2012). This would eliminate any wasted resources (Grimshaw et al., 2012).
The world of research evolves extremely quickly, and staff may not have the time to seek out this knowledge. Knowledge translation initiatives help to bridge that gap by effectively communicating best practices to these staff which in turn benefits the overall health of patients.
Andree Marcille
Canadian Institutes of Health Research. (2022). Knowledge mobilization. Government of Canada. Retrieved from: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29529.html
Grimshaw, J.M., Eccles, M.P., Lavis, J.N., Hill, S.J. & Squires, J.E. (2012). Knowledge translation of research findings. Implementation Sci 7, 50 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-50
Zhu, L. M., Stinson, J., Palozzi, L., Weingarten, K., Hogan, M. E., Duong, S., Carbajal, R., Campbell, F. A., & Taddio, A. (2012). Improvements in pain outcomes in a Canadian pediatric teaching hospital following implementation of a multifaceted knowledge translation initiative. Pain research & management, 17(3), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/586589
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