Display options
Cite
Kothari A, Armstrong R. Community-based knowledge translation: unexplored opportunities. Implement Sci. 2011;6:59doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-6-59.
Kothari, A., & Armstrong, R. (2011). Community-based knowledge translation: unexplored opportunities. Implementation science : IS, 659. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-6-59
Kothari, Anita, and Armstrong, Rebecca. "Community-based knowledge translation: unexplored opportunities." Implementation science : IS vol. 6 (2011): 59. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-6-59
Kothari A, Armstrong R. Community-based knowledge translation: unexplored opportunities. Implement Sci. 2011 Jun 06;6:59. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-6-59. PMID: 21645381; PMCID: PMC3127775.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Implement Sci. 2011 Jun 06;6:59. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-6-59.

Community-based knowledge translation: unexplored opportunities.

Implementation science : IS

Anita Kothari, Rebecca Armstrong

Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Health Sciences Building 222, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B9. [email protected]

PMID: 21645381 PMCID: PMC3127775 DOI: 10.1186/1748-5908-6-59

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knowledge translation is an interactive process of knowledge exchange between health researchers and knowledge users. Given that the health system is broad in scope, it is important to reflect on how definitions and applications of knowledge translation might differ by setting and focus. Community-based organizations and their practitioners share common characteristics related to their setting, the evidence used in this setting, and anticipated outcomes that are not, in our experience, satisfactorily reflected in current knowledge translation approaches, frameworks, or tools.

DISCUSSION: Community-based organizations face a distinctive set of challenges and concerns related to engaging in the knowledge translation process, suggesting a unique perspective on knowledge translation in these settings. Specifically, community-based organizations tend to value the process of working in collaboration with multi-sector stakeholders in order to achieve an outcome. A feature of such community-based collaborations is the way in which 'evidence' is conceptualized or defined by these partners, which may in turn influence the degree to which generalizable research evidence in particular is relevant and useful when balanced against more contextually-informed knowledge, such as tacit knowledge. Related to the issues of evidence and context is the desire for local information. For knowledge translation researchers, developing processes to assist community-based organizations to adapt research findings to local circumstances may be the most helpful way to advance decision making in this area. A final characteristic shared by community-based organizations is involvement in advocacy activities, a function that has been virtually ignored in traditional knowledge translation approaches.

SUMMARY: This commentary is intended to stimulate further discussion in the area of community-based knowledge translation. Knowledge translation, and exchange, between communities, community-based organizations, decision makers, and researchers is likely to be beneficial when ensuring that 'evidence' meets the needs of all end users and that decisions are based on both relevant research and community requirements. Further exploratory work is needed to identify alternative methods for evaluating these strategies when applied within community-based settings.

References

  1. Implement Sci. 2010 Apr 27;5:33 - PubMed
  2. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2005 Oct;10(4):203-11 - PubMed
  3. BMJ. 1996 Jan 13;312(7023):71-2 - PubMed
  4. J Public Health (Oxf). 2006 Jun;28(2):168-72 - PubMed
  5. Milbank Q. 2007 Dec;85(4):729-68 - PubMed
  6. Implement Sci. 2010 Jun 16;5:47 - PubMed
  7. Am J Health Behav. 2001 May-Jun;25(3):165-78 - PubMed
  8. Qual Health Res. 2010 Jan;20(1):131-43 - PubMed
  9. Med Care. 2001 Aug;39(8 Suppl 2):II2-45 - PubMed
  10. J Eval Clin Pract. 2001 May;7(2):91-6 - PubMed
  11. Obes Rev. 2005 Feb;6(1):23-33 - PubMed
  12. Milbank Q. 2010 Dec;88(4):444-83 - PubMed
  13. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2009;6(1):27-35 - PubMed
  14. Yearb Med Inform. 2006;:72-80 - PubMed
  15. Implement Sci. 2010 Jun 03;5:41 - PubMed
  16. Am J Community Psychol. 2005 Jun;35(3-4):169-83 - PubMed
  17. Annu Rev Public Health. 2009;30:151-74 - PubMed
  18. Qual Saf Health Care. 2002 Jun;11(2):174-80 - PubMed
  19. Milbank Q. 2006;84(3):577-603 - PubMed

MeSH terms

Publication Types