Knowledge integration: conceptualizing communications in cancer control systems

Abstract

Objective: This paper was prepared by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) Working Group on Translational Research and Knowledge Transfer. The goal was to nurture common ground upon which to build a platform for translating what we know about cancer into what we do in practice and policy.

Methods: Methods included expert panels, literature review, and concept mapping, to develop a framework that built on earlier cancer control conceptualizations of communications that have guided researchers and end users.

Results: The concept of 'knowledge integration' is used to describe the resulting refinement and the nature of evidence necessary for decision-making to at the systems level. Current evidence for knowledge integration in cancer control is presented across the levels of individual, organizational and systems level interventions and across basic, clinical and population science knowledge bases.

Conclusion: A systems-oriented approach to integrating evidence into action assists organizations to conduct research and policy and practice.

Practice implications: Practitioners can use this framework to understand the challenges of implementing and evaluating cancer control strategies.