1. Basics of Knowledge Translation
John R. Walker, Ph.D.
Department of Clinical Health Psychology 1

2. Funding Organizations
Canadian Institute of Health Research
Mental Health Commission of Canada

3. About you?

4. About me?

5. What have you heard about knowledge translation?

6. Why is knowledge translation important?

7. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) definition
Knowledge translation
"a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system."

8. Two approaches to knowledge translation (CIHR)
Post grant knowledge translation
Integrated knowledge translation
potential knowledge users are engaged throughout the research process.
produces findings that are more likely to be directly relevant to and used by knowledge users.
incorporate a dissemination plan to share the results of the project with other interested knowledge users

9. Knowledge translation
Research
Findings
Service
Provider
Consumer
(Young Adults)
Knowledge Translation
Many of the efforts to move knowledge of mental health information/services from research findings into the field have focused on the front-line service provider rather than consumers
A focus on consumers is likely to be particularly influential in shaping public knowledge about important mental health problems and treatment options
It is pivotal then for proper KT that young adults themselves help determine the content, format and timing of delivery of appropriate information regarding mental health problems. 9

10. Knowledge Translation Definition
Getting the right information
To the right people
At the right time
In the right format
To inform decision making

11. Key Tasks In Knowledge Translation
What information do people want and need?
Identify what is available currently?
Find the information (knowledge synthesis)
Put the information into plain language
Format the information for different media and different audiences
Decide how to effectively disseminate the information

12. 1. What information do people want and need?
Qualitative research
Individual interviews – helps you understand what is important but also concerns, misconceptions, priorities
Focus groups
Quantitative research – allows you to reach larger numbers and compare characteristics

13. 2. What is available currently?
Studies of web-based information.
Most resources answer the simple questions – describe the problem, describe the treatment
Many questions that are important to consumers are not answered
Do not provide quantitative information that would be helpful in making decisions involving comparisons
Do not deal with difficult areas – risks of treatment, frequency of side effects

14. Step 3: Find the information to answer consumer questions – knowledge synthesis
Challenges
The information is technical in nature
Putting the information in quantitative terms – for example, 6 of 10 people are much improved after treatment
There is limited information available to answer many of the questions. There is little support for research to answer the hard questions
We provide references so the reader can check the sources of information

15. Step 4: Put the information in plain language
Check the reading level of the information
Reviewed the information with young adults who had experienced problems with depression – they provided feedback and advice
Reviewed the information with professionals providing treatment for depression

16. Step 5: Format the information for different media and audiences
Some people prefer information on the web – advantage – can provide a great deal of detail and the reader can look at what interests them and skip what does not interest them
Others prefer information in traditional brochure format
Too much information for one brochure – break into brochures that answer questions

17. Step 6: Disseminate the information widely
Working to link the website with organizations serving the public: consumer organizations, professional associations, universities
Brochures: Making them freely available to the organizations about and any person who wants to use them – Creative Commons Copyright allows the user to reproduce them
Evaluating results of dissemination
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AND SHARE THE RESOURCES

19. Treatment choices about depression as an example

20. Web and brochure formats
Brochures are available in the resources section of the website

22. A similar approach can be applied to many health problems
What information do people want and need?
What is available currently?
Find the information (knowledge synthesis)
Put the information into plain language
Format the information for different media and different audiences
Decide how to effectively disseminate the information

24. Thank you!

25. Knowledge to action cycle (Ian Graham)