Introduction to Knowledge Translation in Health Care Research

Abstract

Knowledge translation may be understood as the process of synthesizing, disseminating, and exchanging information to appropriate audiences. This process is an essential component of research, ensuring that research findings reach the knowledge users in a cost-efficient and meaningful manner. However, novice investigators may sometimes believe knowledge translation equates to presentations at research conferences and publishing in a journal. The objective of this paper is to address this misconception by providing an overview of the knowledge translation process for novice investigators. The authors will first define knowledge translation and describe its importance in health care research. Following this brief introduction, a framework for knowledge translation, the Knowledge-to-Action Cycle, will be examined to equip novice investigators with the essential knowledge and strategies they need to develop and implement successful research proposals. The information presented in this paper may enable novice investigators to understand and apply knowledge translation in their research, enhancing its applicability and usefulness. The authors conclude this paper by clarifying the various approaches, levels, and means of knowledge translation, and by constructing a brief overview of planning considerations for novice investigators engaging in knowledge translation.