A population health research transfer strategy

Canadian Population Health Initiative (2001)
Ottawa, ON, Canada

How to cite this summary:

National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (2010). A population health research transfer strategy. Hamilton, ON: McMaster University. (Updated 05 July, 2011). Retrieved from http://www.nccmt.ca/registry/view/eng/52.html.

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Method Knowledge Knowledge Knowledge Planning Doing

These summaries are written by the NCCMT to condense and to provide an overview of the resources listed in the Registry of Methods and Tools and to give suggestions for their use in a public health context. For more information on individual methods and tools included in the review, please consult the authors/developers of the original resources.

Relevance for Public Health
 Although not specifically developed for use in public health, the method is transferable to this context. The authors view government departments engaged in health services as potential collaborators in the implementation of this method. Many of these strategies can be used in public health to enhance collaborations with other government agenices, such as Health Canada and regional health boards and authorities. Furthermore, cross-departmental government initatives can provide a means for effective knowledge transfer of research and policy findings.
Description

This method is based on the understanding that interaction between researchers and decision makers is fundamental to knowledge transfer. A key outcome of interaction is developing long-term collaborative relationships between these two groups. The Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI), an initiative of the Canadian Institute for Health Information, aims to promote knowledge transfer and uptake of population health research by decision makers and develop policy options to improve population health. Ongoing collaboration ensures the research process is relevant for decision makers and facilitates the uptake of research findings during decision making.

This resource follows from a 1997 CPHI pilot project designed to bring together researchers and decision makers to bridge the divide between evidence and policy making. CPHI conducted an environmental scan of knowledge transfer strategies from 17 organizations involved in health or social research or policy. Academic, policy think tank and government organizations were represented. Through this process, the developers identified knowledge transfer strategies that are relevant to population health decision makers.

The user is guided through these strategies, each presenting considerations related to the following elements of the process:

1) the target audience (who is engaged)

2) the point in time during the research process (when to engage with the target group(s)

3) the method of engagement (how the target audience is engaged)
Evaluation and Measurement Characteristics
Evaluation
 Information not available
Validity
 Not applicable
Reliability
 Not applicable
Methodological Rating
 Not applicableNot applicable
Implementing the Method/Tool
Who is involved

Delivery and administration of the method could be completed by one or various public health staff, including researchers, managers or directors.

To make practical use of research findings, and depending on the scope of the project, potential participants may include: policy groups, government departments, academic facilities, international organizations, regional health boards, professional organizations, community organizations, business groups, the public, the media and public health practitioners.
Time
 Information not available.
Engaging decision makers early in the process is critical. The researchers suggest that relationships with decision makers are maintained throughout all phases of the research process. Building and maintaining these relationships can be time-consuming. Thus, an appropriate amount of time should be scheduled to allow for the transfer of knowledge from one audience to another. The authors also emphasize the importance of timing strategies designed to engage decision makers before, during and after research is complete.
Additional Resources and/or Skills Needed for Implementation

Knowledge of the population/public health context, the research process and aspects related to knowledge translation would be useful for the implementation of this method. The authors suggest using the the services of a research transfer specialist.
Steps for Using Method/Tool

This resource guides the reader through a three-step process of knowledge dissemination, exchange and application. Knowledge transfer strategies are categorized according to: 1) target group, referring to who is engaged; 2) timing, pertaining to when the target audience is to be engaged in the research process; and 3) method, or how the target audience needs to be engaged.

Examples of strategies include:

1) Engaging the Target Audience (Who)

  • Including diverse stakeholders, where specific partners are targeted depending on the issue
  • Fostering linkages across different government departments that influence healthy public policy
  • Partnering with community organizations, the business community, media and the general public to indirectly influence the decision-making process
  • Using research transfer (knowledge translation) specialists to engage a diverse network of partners and target audiences


2) Timing of Engagement (When)

  • Engaging with diverse stakeholders and decision makers early in the research process to inform research priorities
  • Conducting environmental scans to identify research gaps (and set research priorities)
  • Evaluating the impact of research on decision making following the engagement process


3) Method of Engagement (How)

  • Developing a working group with key stakeholders to create research questions, inform the research process and assist with dissemination
  • Developing a knowledge transfer strategy for each project
  • Developing multiple formats to maximize uptake of research findings (e.g., pamphlets and websites for the public and community groups)
  • Promoting collaboration through fostering "common space" to encourage information sharing and facilitate interactions among stakeholders
  • Promoting capacity building within partner organizations to strengthen the use of research


The developers offer several examples to support and build on these and other recommendations.
Conditions for Use
 Not specified
Method/Tool Development
Developer(s)

Canadian Institute for Health Information
377 Dalhousie Street
Suite 200
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9N8
Telephone: (613) 241-7860
Fax: (613) 241-8120
www.cihi.ca

 
Method of Development
 The goal of the Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) was to ensure that the results of research and policy were attended to by those who make practical use of them in policy and decision making. The CPHI completed an environmental scan of effective strategies for knowledge transfer and policy engagement with seventeen organizations involved in health, social research and policy. Through this process, the developers identified successful models of research-policy exchange. A synthesis of the results informed this method for planning and implementing a knowledge application and dissemination strategy.    
Release Date
 2001
Contact Person/Source

Karen Weir

Program Lead
Canadian Population Health Initiative 
Canadian Institute for Health Information
495 Richmond Road, Suite 600
Ottawa, ON  K2A 4H6
Tel  (613) 694-6651 
Fax (613) 241-8120

Resources

Title of Primary Resource
 An Environmental Scan of Research Transfer Strategies
File Attachment
 None
Web-link
 https://secure.cihi.ca/estore/productSeries.htm?pc=PCC31
Reference

Canadian Population Health Initiative (2001). An environmental scan of research transfer strategies. 
Type of Material
 Environmental scan
Format
 On-line Access
Cost to Access
  
Language
 English, French
Conditions for Use
  Copyright © 2001 Canadian Institute of Health Information 

Title of Supplementary Resource
 How can research organizations more effectively transfer research knowledge to decision makers?
File Attachment
 None
Web-link
  
Reference

Lavis, J. N., Robertson, D., Woodside, J. M., McLeod, C. B., Abelson, J., & The Knowledge Transfer Study Group. (2003). How can research organizations more effectively transfer research knowledge to decision makers? The Millbank Quarterly, 81(2), 221-248.
Type of Material
 Journal article
Format
 Periodical
Cost to Access
 Journal article purchase 
Language
 English
Conditions for Use

Copyright © 2003 The Millbank Quarterly