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Riley BL, Robinson KL, Gamble J, et al. Knowledge to action for solving complex problems: insights from a review of nine international cases. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2015;35(3):47-53doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.35.3.01.
Riley, B. L., Robinson, K. L., Gamble, J., Finegood, D. T., Sheppard, D., Penney, T. L., & Best, A. (2015). Knowledge to action for solving complex problems: insights from a review of nine international cases. Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice, 35(3), 47-53. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.35.3.01
Riley, B L, et al. "Knowledge to action for solving complex problems: insights from a review of nine international cases." Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice vol. 35,3 (2015): 47-53. doi: https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.35.3.01
Riley BL, Robinson KL, Gamble J, Finegood DT, Sheppard D, Penney TL, Best A. Knowledge to action for solving complex problems: insights from a review of nine international cases. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2015 May;35(3):47-53. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.35.3.01. French. PMID: 25970804; PMCID: PMC4910433.
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Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2015 May;35(3):47-53. doi: 10.24095/hpcdp.35.3.01.

Knowledge to action for solving complex problems: insights from a review of nine international cases.

Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice

[Article in French]
B L Riley, K L Robinson, J Gamble, D T Finegood, D Sheppard, T L Penney, A Best

Affiliations

  1. Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
  2. Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
  3. Imprint Consulting, Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada.
  4. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
  5. Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  6. InSource Research Group, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

PMID: 25970804 PMCID: PMC4910433 DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.35.3.01

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Solving complex problems such as preventing chronic diseases introduces unique challenges for the creation and application of knowledge, or knowledge to action (KTA). KTA approaches that apply principles of systems thinking are thought to hold promise, but practical strategies for their application are not well understood. In this paper we report the results of a scan of systems approaches to KTA with a goal to identify how to optimize their implementation and impact.

METHODS: A 5-person advisory group purposefully selected 9 initiatives to achieve diversity on issues addressed and organizational forms. Information on each case was gathered from documents and through telephone interviews with primary contacts within each organization. Following verification of case descriptions, an inductive analysis was conducted within and across cases.

RESULTS: The cases revealed 5 guidelines for moving from conceiving KTA systems to implementing them: (1) establish and nurture relationships, (2) co-produce and curate knowledge, (3) create feedback loops, (4) frame as systems interventions rather than projects, and (5) consider variations across time and place.

CONCLUSION: Results from the environmental scan are a modest start to translating systems concepts for KTA into practice. Use of the strategies revealed in the scan may improve KTA for solving complex public health problems. The strategies themselves will benefit from the development of a science that aims to understand adaptation and ongoing learning from policy and practice interventions, strengthens enduring relationships, and fills system gaps in addition to evidence gaps. Systems approaches to KTA will also benefit from robust evaluations.

Keywords: intervention studies; knowledge transfer; public health; systems approach

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