Marginalized evidence: effective knowledge translation strategies for low awareness issues

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Knowledge Translation
• Health Communication

Background:

• Communicating evidence on low awareness health topics presents unique knowledge translation (KT) challenges.
• These issues are often overlooked by decision-makers despite supporting evidence, hindering their integration into healthcare.
• This study addresses the difficulty of prioritizing and acting upon evidence for less recognized health concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the successful implementation of KT strategies for a specific low awareness issue.
• To highlight the importance of trained health interpreters in healthcare settings.
• To demonstrate how to overcome barriers in bringing low awareness topics to the forefront of decision-making.

Main Methods:

• The study applied specific knowledge translation strategies within a large Canadian Regional Health Authority.
• Focus was placed on a low awareness topic: the necessity of utilizing trained health interpreters.
• The approach involved engaging decision-makers and healthcare providers to integrate the evidence.

Main Results:

• Successful application of KT strategies led to increased awareness and utilization of trained health interpreters.
• The initiative demonstrated that even peripheral health issues can be successfully prioritized.
• Evidence-based practices for low awareness topics can be effectively implemented.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge translation strategies can be effectively adapted and applied to low awareness health issues.
• Prioritizing and integrating the use of trained health interpreters is feasible and beneficial.
• This case study offers a model for addressing other under-recognized health topics in healthcare settings.