Building a local agenda for dissemination of research into practice

Across North America and in other parts of the world, there has been a growing recognition that a large gap exists between public health knowledge generated through scientific discovery and its application in individual, community, organizational, and policy innovation. An academic-funder partnership sought to identify potential actions to improve the translation of public health research to practice in Missouri. Concept mapping, a structured conceptualization process, was used to develop information to support a local action planning effort to improve research translation to practice in Missouri. Nine conceptual clusters emerged: (1) provide education and training; (2) enhance capacity; (3) change incentives and accountability; (4) shift funding toward community needs; (5) support practice-based research; (6) engage and collaborate with the community; (7) share knowledge; (8) engage influentials; and (9) sustain momentum; action plans were drafted to address priorities in each cluster. The project connected the ideas of a wide-ranging set of stakeholders, identified areas of high-level agreement among stakeholders, and supported shared agenda setting.