Effective knowledge translation (KT) requires an understanding of the information needs, contexts, and preferences of target audiences.

The Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, (CHSRF) defines knowledge transfer as “… a range of activities [that] includes encouraging researchers and decision makers to work together on developing research questions and finding the answers to them; creating resources…for people to share information…establish dissemination processes; and encouraging the use of research-based evidence in running the healthcare system”

The following definition of knowledge transfer (KT) has been developed by the NHSRU to guide its KT Strategy and initiatives.

Knowledge transfer is a continuum of processes and activities that bring researchers and decision-makers together from the stage of idea generation to implementing evidence-based initiatives. Researchers and decision-makers influence each other’s shared and separate mandates to generate timely and relevant evidence and make it available and accessible. In turn, stakeholders assess the utility of the evidence for their own settings and use it for the purpose of informing and advancing their decision-making in the areas of policy, practice, or planning.

NHSRU Knowledge Transfer initiatives:

1. Linkages & Exchange Initiatives

• Steering Committee meetings with researchers and decision makers to guide the research process
• Interactive Research Forums
• Priority response to MOHLTC knowledge transfer needs and requests
• Internal online discussion forums with NHSRU co-investigators
• Evaluation plan adapted from current best practice including Knowledge Translation at CIHR: Thinking about Impact
• Speaking engagements from NHSRU experts
• Scholarly symposiums on research themes
• Workshops and webinars

2. Communications Initiatives

• Informative and interactive website to distribute information on emerging nursing issues and research
• NHSRU Bulletin with unit and research updates
• Press releases to announce key research findings
• Research to Action fact sheets and place mats to synthesize current and completed research projects
• Information packages to MOHLTC
• Email alerts to a regularly updated stakeholder database with approximately 1500 stakeholders
• Produce publications and commentaries in peer reviewed and/or trade journals
• Radio and television interviews when requested

Proactive in nature, our knowledge transfer strategy involves and engages the communities of researchers and stakeholders (i.e., policy and decision makers) at every step of the research continuum—from identified need/question to dissemination of findings. The multifaceted strategy incorporates the knowledge transfer activities successfully employed to date to enhance the uptake of research into evidence-informed decision making.

Knowledge brokering is a central component of knowledge transfer. It has been described as “the active, relationship-building aspect of knowledge transfer, a third party role dedicated to linking researchers and research users so that information, innovation and support can flow freely between them” (CHSRF, 2003). Each site of the NHSRU has a Knowledge Broker in place to lead our KT programs and lend KT support to our research affiliates.