Grant: Foundation Grant

Behavioural Science; Cluster Randomised Trials; Complex Interventions; Health Services Research; Implementation Research; Integrated Knowledge Translation; Knowledge Synthesis; Knowledge Translation; Quality Improvement; Quasi Experimental Studies

<html> <body> <p>Evidence-practice gaps resulting from knowledge translation (KT) failures result in patients failing to benefit optimally from advances in healthcare and inefficient use of scarce healthcare resources. KT is about ensuring that decision-makers at all levels of the health system (including patients, healthcare professionals (HCPs), policy makers) are aware of, and can access and use research evidence to inform healthcare decision-making and practice. Improved KT is essential if we are to reap the benefits of health research to improve the health and quality of life of Canadians, the effectiveness of health services, and the Canadian healthcare system. KT research is the scientific study of the determinants, processes and outcomes of KT. My program focuses on &lsquo;evaluation of KT strategies targeting HCPs and health systems&rsquo;, a core element of KT research. The research program will use innovative approaches to enhance the informativeness (the cumulative contribution of knowledge generated during the study to advancing KT science) of primary evaluations and systematic reviews of KT strategies addressing conceptual and methodological weaknesses in current KT research. It will develop <strong><em>general principles</em></strong> to inform healthcare systems about how to increase the likelihood that their KT strategies are effective and <strong><em>practical tools</em></strong> to support the design and delivery of KT strategies. Specifically it will:<br> 1. prospectively develop and test theory based KT strategies (working with health system partners to address high priority health system problems);<br> 2. develop implementation laboratories in routine healthcare settings to determine methods for optimising audit and feedback (A&amp;F), a commonly used KT strategy provided; and<br> 3. develop methods to enhance the informativeness of systematic reviews of KT strategies.<br> The program will have direct benefit for health systems and patients; the active engagement of knowledge users increases the likelihood of implementation of successful KT strategies within service settings to strengthen Canadian (and global) healthcare systems. The programmatic nature of the work will also facilitate theoretical and methodological developments in the field.<br> The program will be conducted with an interdisciplinary group of over 60 program experts (PEs)(including independent researchers (IRs), knowledge users (KUs) and trainees) based locally, nationally and internationally (Australia, Europe, United Kingdom). IRs represent a wide range of disciplines and methodological expertise and different levels of experience from highly experienced to junior colleagues demonstrating my commitment to build capacity in the field. I have collaborated (demonstrated by either joint projects or publications) with over 85% of IRs. The engagement of KUs demonstrates my commitment to working with healthcare organisations delivering KT programs and health system reforms. A key objective of my program is to develop sustainable interdisciplinary KT research capacity in Canada and globally. I will support Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs) and graduate students throughout the program. I plan to develop advanced KT courses and establish a unique KT research concentration within University of Ottawa graduate programs. I will also mentor early and mid-career PEs. I plan to undertake a series of KT activities directed at key KUs involving both <em>within</em> and <em>end of project</em> KT activities to ensure maximum impact of the research.</p> </body> </html>