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. 2018 Jun 27;18(1):502.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-018-3314-4.

Core knowledge translation competencies: a scoping review

Anastasia A Mallidou  1 , Pat Atherton  2 , Liza Chan  3 , Noreen Frisch  4 , Stephanie Glegg  5 , Gayle Scarrow  6
Affiliations

Core knowledge translation competencies: a scoping review

Anastasia A Mallidou et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Background: Knowledge translation (KT) is the broad range of activities aimed at supporting the use of research findings leading to evidence-based practice (EBP) and policy. Recommendations have been made that capacity building efforts be established to support individuals to enact KT. In this study, we summarized existing knowledge on KT competencies to provide a foundation for such capacity building efforts and to inform policy and research. Our research questions were "What are the core KT competencies needed in the health sector?" and "What are the interventions and strategies to teach and reinforce those competencies?"

Methods: We used a scoping review approach and an integrated KT process by involving an Advisory Group of diverse stakeholders. We searched seven health and interdisciplinary electronic databases and grey literature sources for materials published from 2003 to 2017 in English language only. Empirical and theoretical publications in health that examined KT competencies were retrieved, reviewed, and synthesized.

Results: Overall, 1171 publications were retrieved; 137 were fully reviewed; and 15 empirical and six conceptual academic, and 52 grey literature publications were included and synthesized in this scoping review. From both the academic and grey literature, we categorized 19 KT core competencies into knowledge, skills, or attitudes; and identified commonly used interventions and strategies to enhance KT competencies such as education, organizational support and hands-on training.

Conclusions: These initial core KT competencies for individuals provide implications for education, policy, knowledge brokering, and future research, and on the need for future evaluation of the KT competencies presented. We also discuss the essential role of organizational support and culture for successful KT activities/practice.

Keywords: Competencies (attitudes; Evidence-based practice; Knowledge; Knowledge brokering; Knowledge translation; Knowledge utilization; Professional competencies; Scoping review; Skills).

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors’ information

  1. AM (RN, PhD) is assistant professor in the School of Nursing at University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

  2. PA (BCom, MPA) is manager of BC’s health services research network, InspireNet

  3. LC (MLIS, BScPT) is a research librarian at Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions, and John W. Scott Health Sciences Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

  4. NF (RN, PhD, FAAN) is professor in the School of Nursing at University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

  5. SG (OT, MSc, PhD candidate) is an occupational therapist and the Knowledge Broker Facilitator with the Child Development & Rehabilitation Evidence Centre at Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, and a doctoral candidate in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

  6. GS is Director, Knowledge Translation at the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Literature Search Process
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Core KT Competencies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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